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Following Senate Recess, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Condemns Senate’s Continued Failure to Move on U.S. Supreme Court Vacancy and Dozens of Judicial Vacancies

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law issued the following statement in response to Senate’s decision to recess without taking action on 10-month long Supreme Court vacancy and dozens of federal judicial vacancies:

“The U.S. Supreme Court continues to sit a justice short as cases of tremendous public importance come before it. Political obstruction has impaired the operation of our nation’s federal judiciary, at every stage, leaving courts grossly under-staffed and Americans without access to justice.  That some members of Congress chose to recess without taking action on the close to 60 nominees who have been waiting for a hearing and a vote amounts to a dereliction of duty.

This recess marks a dark moment in our democracy and one that will reflect poorly on those who used political gamesmanship as a tool to undermine the operation of our nation’s courts”

About the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. Formed over 50 years ago, we continue our quest of “Moving America Toward Justice.” The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice under law, particularly in the areas of fair housing and community development; employment; voting; education; and criminal justice.  For more information about the Lawyers’ Committee, visit www.lawyerscommittee.org.

             
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