Arlington, VA — Today the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on several qualified lower courts nominees, including Amy Barrett of Indiana and Joan Larsen of Michigan. Barrett is being considered for the Seventh Circuit and Larsen for the Sixth.
It took Michigan Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters months to hand in their “blue slips” for Larsen, delaying the process. Senator Donnelly was also slow to give his ceremonious permission for Senator Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, to move forward with a hearing for Barrett.
Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) Executive Director Mark Lucas issued the following statement:
“Amy Barrett and Joan Larsen are unquestionably qualified to serve on the lower courts, and we commend Senator Grassley for acting swiftly to allow these nominees a fair hearing. Unlike some of his Democrat colleagues, Senator Grassley is doing everything in his power to fix America’s judicial crisis.
“We urge the committee to move these qualified nominees out for a floor vote without delay. We will continue applying pressure to remaining senators who are withholding their blue slips and playing politics with the justice Americans deserve.”
Last month, CVA launched “Defend the Courts,” an initiative dedicated to engagement around judicial nominations. Through the new effort, CVA will mobilize activists to support qualified judicial nominees who will respect the rule of law, fight to end judicial obstruction in Congress, and educate all Americans about the importance of a fully-functioning judiciary. CVA engaged earlier this year in an unprecedented grassroots effort in support of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.
Through Defend the Courts, CVA is currently urging activists to contact their senators in support of Barrett and Larsen.
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