July, 13 2017, 12:45pm EDT
Civil and Human Rights Coalition Disappointed by Senate Judiciary Committee Approval of Bush and Schiff
WASHINGTON
Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement after the Senate Judiciary Committee today voted, on a party-line basis, to advance the nominations of John K. Bush to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and Damien Schiff to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
"It is highly disappointing to see Mr. Bush and Mr. Schiff approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. It is hard to imagine two men more unfit to serve as federal judges. Their ideological extremism and intemperate writings are unparalleled in modern judicial nomination history. Federal judges are required to rule fairly and impartially--characteristics these men clearly lack.
Because of Senate Republicans' unprecedented obstruction during the Obama administration, President Trump inherited over 100 judicial vacancies upon taking office. To add insult to injury, most of the nominees being put forward to fill these stolen seats would be, as we have seen with Justice Gorsuch, judges with an extreme agenda. Their nominations are a disservice to the federal judiciary and to the American people.
If the Senate's advice and consent role is to have any real meaning, Senators must reject nominees with a demonstrated record of hostility to the principle of equal protection under the law. We urge the full Senate to reject the Bush and Schiff nominations."
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the civil and human rights of all persons in the United States. Through advocacy and outreach to targeted constituencies, The Leadership Conference works toward the goal of a more open and just society - an America as good as its ideals.
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