President Obama's State of the Union Address Highlights the Sorry State of the Judicial Nominations Process

Washington, D.C., January 24, 2012—Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron issued the following statement about President Barack Obama’s call for action on judicial nominations during the State of the Union address:

With the nation’s federal courts in crisis, and with one in nine judgeships vacant, we applaud President Obama for using tonight’s State of the Union address to highlight the need for urgent Senate action on his judicial nominations. Relentless, unprecedented obstruction by Republicans threatens to create the almost unimaginable possibility that by the end of the President’s first term the overburdened federal courts may have more vacancies than when his presidency began. We believe the place for the Senate to start is with immediate votes for the 18 nominees currently awaiting final action, but then to work with the President to restore the federal court system to full strength by the end of this year. We urge the Senate to heed the President’s call for immediate action so that the state of the union can once again be characterized by an effective and fully staffed system of justice for all Americans.

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Alliance for Justice is a national association of over 100 organizations, representing a broad array of groups committed to progressive values and the creation of an equitable, just, and free society. AFJ works to ensure that the federal judiciary advances core constitutional values, preserves human rights and unfettered access to the courts, and adheres to the even-handed administration of justice for all Americans. It is the leading expert on the legal framework for nonprofit advocacy efforts, providing definitive information, resources, and technical assistance that encourages organizations and their funding partners to fully exercise their right to be active participants in the democratic process. AFJ is based in Washington, D.C.