Alliance for Justice Calls for Action on D.C. Circuit Court Nominees

Washington, D.C., June 11, 2012—Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron issued the following statement on the nominations of Caitlin Halligan and Sri Srinivasan to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit:

Today’s nominations of Caitlin Halligan and Sri Srinivasan to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals represent a significant step toward staffing one of the most important courts in the federal judiciary. Both nominees deserve swift consideration before the end of this year. The fact that Halligan faced a Republican filibuster in 2011 and had to be re-nominated speaks volumes about the unprecedented level of partisan obstruction that has severely damaged the federal court system.

The D.C. Circuit is second only to the Supreme Court in its importance and in its ability to shape a president’s judicial legacy. That’s why appointments to the circuit should fully and explicitly reflect the values and principles upon which the president was elected. The record and background of Sri Srinivasan has left open some questions about his commitment to workers’ rights and to the rights of everyday Americans facing corporate and banking interests in the federal courts. We look forward to learning more about his positions at his hearing.

We also urge the president to move swiftly to fill the third vacancy on the circuit with an individual with impeccable credentials and a professional background that reflects a lifetime commitment to a full and vigorous defense of the rights of ordinary people.

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NOTE: Up-to-the-minute statistics on judicial nominations for the current year are always available online on the Alliance for Justice’s Judicial Selection page, which contains the highly regarded Judicial Selection Snapshot, as well as data on Nominees Pending on the Senate Floor, a list of Vacancies Without Nominees, and our new Judicial Selection Calendar.

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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. Additional information can be found at www.afj.org.