THE SENATE CAN’T ADJOURN UNTIL ALL COURT NOMINEES ARE CONFIRMED
QUICK READ:To prevent Trump from even greater control over the federal courts, especially the appellate ones, the “deal” Majority Leader Schumer brokered, sacrificing critical confirmations with the potential to protect 4 circuits from a seismic right-wing shift for the fleeting political optics of confirming a handful of district court judges is catastrophic and must be rescinded. The Senate must stay in session until all district and appeals court nominees are confirmed.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
In the coming months and years all Trump’s extreme plans, including using the military to deport immigrants, politicizing the DOJ to persecute his perceived enemies, refusing to spend congressional appropriations, will likely be challenged in federal court. This is why Senate Democrats must confirm all pending judicial nominees before the year’s end.
Of the 40+ judicial vacancies, 20+ are in red states without nominees because Democrats refused to abolish home-state senators’ veto rights over district court nominees. Awaiting confirmation are 14 district court and 4 appellate court nominees.
Last week Majority Leader Schumer further weakened Democrats’ last-ditch efforts to confirm progressive judges who will protect voting rights, reproductive rights, consumers and the environment by brokering a “deal”sacrificing critical confirmations with the potential to protect 4 circuits from a seismic right-wing shift for the fleeting political optics of confirming a handful of district court nominees.
Since SCOTUS hears very few cases, lower courts—especially appellate ones—have the greatest impact on Americans’ lives, making these judges’ attributes and how they approach the law and the Constitution extremely important.
This “deal” only benefits Trump, giving him a free hand to further shape the appellate courts with the likes of Aileen Cannon—as he did with the 5th Circuit, which consistently takes right-wing extremist positions.
Instead, Senate Democrats must commit to staying late, working weekends, and missing parts of their holiday, if necessary, to uphold our rights and protect the federal judiciary’s integrity by giving all these nominees the votes they deserve.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am aghast that Chuck Schumer brokered a “deal” with Republicans that would abandon 4 highly qualified appeals court nominees to smooth the process of confirming district court nominees. Do not let Leader Schumer give these critical vacancies to Trump, which sets a terrible precedent for the fights ahead. Senate Democrats must commit to staying late, working weekends, and missing parts of their holiday, if necessary, to uphold our rights and protect the federal judiciary’s integrity by giving all these nominees the votes they deserve.
SEN. WYDEN:
Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am aghast that Chuck Schumer brokered a “deal” with Republicans that would abandon 4 highly qualified appeals court nominees to smooth the process of confirming district court nominees. Do not let Leader Schumer give these critical vacancies to Trump, which sets a terrible precedent for the fights ahead. Senate Democrats must commit to staying late, working weekends, and missing parts of their holiday, if necessary, to uphold our rights and protect the federal judiciary’s integrity by giving all these nominees the votes they deserve.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
I am furious that Trump wants the Senate to abdicate its advise-and-consent power so he can appoint incompetent, unqualified, and dangerous nominees, who will destroy the agencies they’re supposed to lead, to serve in his administration, and I expect you to oppose it. Especially for his most wildly unqualified nominees, like Kash Patel, Pete Hegseth, RFK Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and Linda McMahon, hearings and a “no” vote are absolutely necessary. As your constituent, I expect you to protect me from these awful nominees.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Even though Matt Gaetz is no longer a nominee for Trump’s cabinet, the American people deserve to learn about the results of the House Ethics Committee’s investigation. Please do everything in your power to ensure that its findings are made public.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Even though Matt Gaetz is no longer a nominee for Trump’s cabinet, the American people deserve to learn about the results of the House Ethics Committee’s investigation. Please do everything in your power to ensure that its findings are made public.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Even though Matt Gaetz is no longer a nominee for Trump’s cabinet, the American people deserve to learn about the results of the House Ethics Committee’s investigation. Please do everything in your power to ensure that its findings are made public.
Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Even though Matt Gaetz is no longer a nominee for Trump’s cabinet, the American people deserve to learn about the results of the House Ethics Committee’s investigation. Please do everything in your power to ensure that its findings are made public.
SCRIPT FOR LORI CHAVEZ-DEREMER (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Even though Matt Gaetz is no longer a nominee for Trump’s cabinet, the American people deserve to learn about the results of the House Ethics Committee’s investigation. Please do everything in your power to ensure that its findings are made public.
Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Even though Matt Gaetz is no longer a nominee for Trump’s cabinet, the American people deserve to learn about the results of the House Ethics Committee’s investigation. Please do everything in your power to ensure that its findings are made public.
ACTION THREE: Good Trouble.
Below is an opportunity to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.”
Vote Equality US is pushing President Biden to publish the ERA before his term ends through a postcard drive on December 10. Use a postcard of your choice and write a message along the following lines(the message is flexible as long as you mention publishing the ERA; for talking point click on Vote Equality US):
Dear President Biden,
Please instruct the Archivist to publish the fully ratified 28th Amendment - the Equal Rights Amendment - and protect the rights of women and LGBTQ Americans!
Thank you,
Full name, city, state
Address to: President Biden, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, DC 20500 Set a reminder to mail on December 1
FURTHER READING
The Senate Should Leave No Judgeship Unfilled
Biden and Senate Democrats Rush to Fill Judicial Vacancies During Lame Duck Period
What’s the Deal With the “Deal” that Senate Democrats Made on Judicial Nominations?
Circuit Courts Face Political Flips if Senate Democrats Follow Through on Confirmation ‘Deal’
Biden pushes to fill federal judicial vacancies before Trump takes over
White House Insider: Forget the Cabinet – Trump Will Use the Judiciary to Reshape America!
