Press Release - The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Statement by Wade Henderson on Stalled Judicial Nominations and the Senate Recess
For Immediate Release
Contact: Scott Westbrook Simpson, 202.466.2061, simpson@civilrights.org
October 1, 2010
"America's courts are being held hostage to a stubborn minority of Senators placing politics above responsible stewardship of our judicial system. Because of their obstructionism, the Senate left Washington today without considering any of the 23 judicial nominees awaiting confirmation votes on the Senate floor, leaving America's federal courts with an even deeper vacancy crisis.
Even with more than 100 judicial vacancies – one out of every eight seats – and 48 declared "judicial emergencies," the Senate has only confirmed five judges since early July. This obstructionism also leaves millions of Americans under-represented on the courts by blocking the confirmation of at least 36 highly-qualified women, and 37 African-American, Latino, or Asian Pacific American nominees.
No matter how the elections turn out, the Senate must return in November determined to vote on these and other long-delayed nominations."
