The U.S. Senate must prioritize protecting the American people during the pandemic and securing our 2020 elections
WASHINGTON – League of Women Voters board president Deborah Turner and CEO Virginia Kase issued the following joint statement on rushing the Supreme Court appointment process:
“Four years ago, Senate leaders set a precedent for how the confirmation process for a Supreme Court justice appointee should occur during a presidential election year. In 2016, a Supreme Court seat sat vacant for more than 300 days, showing that there is no reason to rush this process in 2020. If it was too soon then, it’s too soon now.
“The American people are in despair during this global pandemic: millions are out of work and more than 200,000 have lost their lives to this deadly virus. It is the duty of our elected officials to provide relief to the American people and ensure all voters can participate in our democracy by safely casting their votes this year.
“Supreme Court justices serve for life and make decisions that impact every American. They require a thorough vetting process that is transparent to the American people. Such a process would be undermined if rushed through.
“Now is not the time to rush a lifetime appointment to the United States Supreme Court.”
CONTACT: Sarah Courtney | 202-263-1332 | scourtney@lwv.org