WASHINGTON, D.C. – A group of former federal district court and appellate judges are urging the U.S. Senate to hold off until after the presidential inauguration in January to move ahead on filling the vacant Supreme Court seat left by Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
The letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Charles Schumer reads:
Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, and Members of the United States Senate,
As former federal judges, we are uniquely aware that the branch of government in which we all were honored to serve has power over neither purse nor sword. Its legitimacy is largely drawn from the public’s faith that its decision-making is fair and true. Unlike the other two branches, the judiciary cannot survive without the consent of the governed, as there is no standing army or police to enforce its orders.
But the public’s acceptance of the rule of the law doesn’t just derive from the fairness and impartiality of the Court’s decision-making: it is drawn, in large measure, from the decisions made by the Senate in the judicial confirmation process. The confirmation power exerts an extraordinary influence over the public’s perception and understanding of the role of courts and judges in our society.
This is why we implore Senators to exercise restraint. Our nation is on the precipice of a national election and is in the grip of a global pandemic. Our citizenry is sharply polarized–a foreboding sign for the health of any democracy. The judicial confirmation process has increasingly become dangerously politicized. Injecting a Supreme Court confirmation fight into this noxious mix will unalterably change and diminish the public’s faith in this vital institution.
For the sake of the Court, we respectfully ask that you withhold consideration of any Supreme Court nominee until after the inauguration of the president chosen by the American public. The legitimacy of the Supreme Court is not something that can be recovered if it is lost. It is up to you to demonstrate the same restraint demanded of our judiciary.
Signed,
Mark W. Bennett
Judge, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Iowa
W. Royal Furgeson
Judge, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
Nancy Gertner
Judge, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
James Giles
Judge, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Stephen Orlofsky
Judge, U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
Stephen C. Robinson
Judge, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
H. Lee Sarokin
Judge, Third Circuit Court of Appeals; U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
Thomas Vanaskie
Judge, Third Circuit Court of Appeals; U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania
T. John Ward
Judge, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
William H. Webster
Judge, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri; Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Central Intelligence Agency
Ann Claire Williams
Judge, Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
10 thoughts on “Former federal judges urge Senate not to rush SCOTUS nominee”
Mrs. Feinstein could be considered the queen of international banking. The Clintons made a lot of money too. They just fired the Cardinal in charge of the saint making office on account he cheated. Integrity is more than just a word. It’s a way of life. And just because your a judge does not make you above the law. Feinstein should stop the charades. Your move Dianne.
You don’t think the Trump Organization and the Trump family isn’t making a sh**load of money off his presidency? Wake up.
Guess what? You failed to send out this 2nd Coronie checks in a timely manner Mitch ‘ole boy. Soooo, it’s a given your gunna now send out a 3rd one too. Want bet? Economy 101.
9/11 are Democrats, two are ancient Republicans(one is in late 90’s).
Just another ploy.
“Our citizenry is sharply polarized–a foreboding sign for the health of any democracy. The judicial confirmation process has increasingly become dangerously politicized.”
Yes, the Democrats have “weaponized” most things in the last 20 years.
Trump and McConnell have both stated publicly that they are stacking the courts with conservative judges.
Every president that has had the chance, has “stacked the court.
You and the rest of the whiny liberals, are getting butt hurt over this, because you are used to having the court stacked in your favor. To bad.
Maybe so, but it wasn’t their priority as McConnell has stated for the Republicans.
There have been several Democrats that have stated, if they win the presidency and a majority in the senate, they want to add seats to the supreme court, to stack it. They also want to add 2 states, sothey can have more votes in the Electoral College, or just abolish the College all together. They have also talked about getting rid of filibuster. They already have done away with the need for a super majority vote for confirmations, now just need a majority.(Done under Obama).
Nancy and Chuck have been spouting this on a regular basis, other talking head Dems have been parroting this for a couple of days.
They even have Biden saying it.
Each of them has more knowledge on the judiciary and the Constitution than you will ever come close to having.
This is a JOKE ! RIGHT ?