Alliance for Justice Applauds President Obama's Swift Re-Nomination of 42 Judicial Nominees

Washington, D.C., January 5, 2011– Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron released the following statement on the re-nomination by President Obama of 42 candidates for circuit courts of appeals and district court judgeships:

“Alliance for Justice is gratified that President Obama has moved swiftly to resubmit to the Senate 42 of his nominees to the federal circuit courts of appeals and district courts, all of whom were originally nominated in the last Congress but were subjected to unconscionable obstructionist tactics that have damaged both our judicial system and the reputation of the Senate.

This decisive action by the President is the first step in the process of ending the crisis in the federal courts, where 96 seats on circuit and district courts are currently empty. Twenty-three of the 42 nominees are slated for courts that have been deemed to be “judicial emergencies” by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, but were not given votes in the last Senate session, thereby jeopardizing the ability of the judicial system to provide justice to the American people.

The nation cannot afford another session of Congress where these highly qualified men and women are subject to endless procedural delays, holds, filibusters, or threats of filibusters.  Even Chief Justice John Roberts has called for an end to the dysfunctional process that has stymied nominations since the beginning of the President’s term. We strongly believe it’s time for the Senate to hear the Chief Justice’s message and commit itself to the rapid consideration of this group of 42, all of whom are already familiar to the Senate, and to all others nominated by the President in the coming months.

The crisis in our courts cannot be allowed to fester for another session of Congress. We applaud the President for acting swiftly and urge the Senate to follow his lead.”

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Alliance for Justice is a national association of over 100 organizations dedicated to advancing justice and democracy. For more than 30 years, AFJ  has led the fight for a more equitable society on behalf of a broad constituency of environmental, consumer, civil and women's rights, children's, senior citizens' and other groups. Alliance for Justice is premised on the belief that all Americans have the right to secure justice in the courts and to have our voices heard when government makes decisions that affect our lives.