SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
Sen Jeff Merkley (D-OR) speaks during a news conference on climate change, on Capitol Hill April 27, 2017 in Washington, DC. Senators introduced 'The 100 by '50 Act' climate legislation that would completely phase out the use of fossil fuels in the United States by 2050. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
After Latest Sexual Assault Allegation, Sen. Merkley Announces Lawsuit Against McConnell and Trump to Halt Kavanaugh Nomination
"The events of the past ten days have only underscored how critical it is that the Senate conduct a careful and comprehensive review of a nominee before giving its consent," argues Democratic senator from Oregon
Sep 26, 2018
Just hours after a third female accuser came forward with bombshell allegations of sexual assault, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced early Wednesday afternoon that he intends to file suit against President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in an effort to put a halt to the confirmation process of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Citing the allegations by women that are now piling up and the Republican efforts to ram through Kavanaugh's confirmation despite the growing concerns and lack of a proper investigation into the charges, Merkley says turning to the courts might is now necessary.
\u201cToday I\u2019m suing @realDonaldTrump and @senatemajldr to STOP the #KavanaughConfirmation process. What they\u2019re doing is absolutely unacceptable and unconstitutional. RISE UP America and make your voices known.\u201d— Jeff Merkley (@Jeff Merkley) 1537980900
"The events of the past ten days have only underscored how critical it is that the Senate conduct a careful and comprehensive review of a nominee before giving its consent," Merkley told Politico in a statement.
According to Politico:
Merkley's still-pending filing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia comes as Senate Republicans vow to push ahead with a vote on President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee in the coming days--and hours before a landmark hearing slated with Christine Blasey Ford, who has alleged a decades-old sexual assault by Kavanaugh.
Merkley's bid for an injunction hinges on the Senate's constitutional duty to provide advice and consent on nominees and charges that he's been prevented from fulfilling that due to the withholding of records on Kavanaugh's past service in the George W. Bush administration.
"The unprecedented obstruction of the Senate's advice and consent obligation is an assault on the separation of powers and a violation of the Constitution," Merkley said. "The president and Mitch McConnell want to ram through this nomination come hell or high water, without real advice or informed consent by the Senate, but that's just not how our Constitution works."
"Americans deserve a justice whose lifetime appointment is not tainted by political gamesmanship and whose appointment comes after full release and examination of his records," declared Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which is representing Merkley, along with the firm Mehri & Skalet.
"We are witnessing a U.S. Supreme Court nomination process that, from its onset, is an executive branch power grab giving the president unchecked authority over choosing this important lifetime appointment without a vigorous review of the nominee's records," she added. "At every turn, this process has been one shrouded in secrecy and is discordant with the process as laid out in the Constitution."
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
brett kavanaughchristine blasey fordjeff merkleymitch mcconnellsexual assaulttrumpismus supreme courtwomen
Just hours after a third female accuser came forward with bombshell allegations of sexual assault, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced early Wednesday afternoon that he intends to file suit against President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in an effort to put a halt to the confirmation process of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Citing the allegations by women that are now piling up and the Republican efforts to ram through Kavanaugh's confirmation despite the growing concerns and lack of a proper investigation into the charges, Merkley says turning to the courts might is now necessary.
\u201cToday I\u2019m suing @realDonaldTrump and @senatemajldr to STOP the #KavanaughConfirmation process. What they\u2019re doing is absolutely unacceptable and unconstitutional. RISE UP America and make your voices known.\u201d— Jeff Merkley (@Jeff Merkley) 1537980900
"The events of the past ten days have only underscored how critical it is that the Senate conduct a careful and comprehensive review of a nominee before giving its consent," Merkley told Politico in a statement.
According to Politico:
Merkley's still-pending filing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia comes as Senate Republicans vow to push ahead with a vote on President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee in the coming days--and hours before a landmark hearing slated with Christine Blasey Ford, who has alleged a decades-old sexual assault by Kavanaugh.
Merkley's bid for an injunction hinges on the Senate's constitutional duty to provide advice and consent on nominees and charges that he's been prevented from fulfilling that due to the withholding of records on Kavanaugh's past service in the George W. Bush administration.
"The unprecedented obstruction of the Senate's advice and consent obligation is an assault on the separation of powers and a violation of the Constitution," Merkley said. "The president and Mitch McConnell want to ram through this nomination come hell or high water, without real advice or informed consent by the Senate, but that's just not how our Constitution works."
"Americans deserve a justice whose lifetime appointment is not tainted by political gamesmanship and whose appointment comes after full release and examination of his records," declared Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which is representing Merkley, along with the firm Mehri & Skalet.
"We are witnessing a U.S. Supreme Court nomination process that, from its onset, is an executive branch power grab giving the president unchecked authority over choosing this important lifetime appointment without a vigorous review of the nominee's records," she added. "At every turn, this process has been one shrouded in secrecy and is discordant with the process as laid out in the Constitution."
Just hours after a third female accuser came forward with bombshell allegations of sexual assault, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) announced early Wednesday afternoon that he intends to file suit against President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in an effort to put a halt to the confirmation process of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Citing the allegations by women that are now piling up and the Republican efforts to ram through Kavanaugh's confirmation despite the growing concerns and lack of a proper investigation into the charges, Merkley says turning to the courts might is now necessary.
\u201cToday I\u2019m suing @realDonaldTrump and @senatemajldr to STOP the #KavanaughConfirmation process. What they\u2019re doing is absolutely unacceptable and unconstitutional. RISE UP America and make your voices known.\u201d— Jeff Merkley (@Jeff Merkley) 1537980900
"The events of the past ten days have only underscored how critical it is that the Senate conduct a careful and comprehensive review of a nominee before giving its consent," Merkley told Politico in a statement.
According to Politico:
Merkley's still-pending filing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia comes as Senate Republicans vow to push ahead with a vote on President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee in the coming days--and hours before a landmark hearing slated with Christine Blasey Ford, who has alleged a decades-old sexual assault by Kavanaugh.
Merkley's bid for an injunction hinges on the Senate's constitutional duty to provide advice and consent on nominees and charges that he's been prevented from fulfilling that due to the withholding of records on Kavanaugh's past service in the George W. Bush administration.
"The unprecedented obstruction of the Senate's advice and consent obligation is an assault on the separation of powers and a violation of the Constitution," Merkley said. "The president and Mitch McConnell want to ram through this nomination come hell or high water, without real advice or informed consent by the Senate, but that's just not how our Constitution works."
"Americans deserve a justice whose lifetime appointment is not tainted by political gamesmanship and whose appointment comes after full release and examination of his records," declared Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which is representing Merkley, along with the firm Mehri & Skalet.
"We are witnessing a U.S. Supreme Court nomination process that, from its onset, is an executive branch power grab giving the president unchecked authority over choosing this important lifetime appointment without a vigorous review of the nominee's records," she added. "At every turn, this process has been one shrouded in secrecy and is discordant with the process as laid out in the Constitution."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.