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For Immediate Release
Contact:

Reynolds Graves, Lawyers’ Committee, Press@LawyersCommittee.org, 202-662-8375

National Civil Rights Group Condemns Senator McConnell's Statement Regarding the Filling of a Supreme Court Vacancy in the 2020 Election Cycle

In response to Senator Mitch McConnell's statement, issued during a May 28, 2019 speech at the Paducah Chamber of Commerce luncheon in Kentucky, vowing to fill any Supreme Court vacancy that might arise in the 2020 presidential election cycle, Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law issued the following statement:

WASHINGTON

In response to Senator Mitch McConnell's statement, issued during a May 28, 2019 speech at the Paducah Chamber of Commerce luncheon in Kentucky, vowing to fill any Supreme Court vacancy that might arise in the 2020 presidential election cycle, Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law issued the following statement:

"Senator McConnell's statements further damage and undermine the Supreme Court at a time when its standing has been significantly diminished in the eyes of the public. His naked political gamesmanship threatens to erode the integrity of our nation's highest court. McConnell's comments are not only reprehensible, but a reminder about the unprecedented and unprincipled tactics used to fill the seat currently occupied by Justice Gorsuch."

Clarke continued, "For civil rights lawyers who are witnessing unrelenting attacks on constitutional rights every day, this is no laughing matter."

While speaking at the luncheon, Senator McConnell was asked "Should a Supreme Court justice die next year, what will your position be on filling that spot?" Senator McConnell paused and stated, "Oh, we'd fill it," inviting laughter from attendees.

The Lawyers' Committee is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to enlist the private bar's leadership and resources in combating racial discrimination and the resulting inequality of opportunity - work that continues to be vital today.

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