Federal judges serve for lifetime appointments, so it’s crucial that these positions are filled by candidates who are dedicated to upholding the Constitution and our democracy. In the remaining weeks of the 118^th Congress, it is especially urgent that the Senate confirm all pending judicial nominees. No qualified nominee should go unconfirmed.

With 16 lifetime nominees pending on the floor right now, and more to be reported out of Committee this and in coming weeks, from the roster of 67, the Senate needs to be intentional and diligent. The Senate should ensure all eligible, qualified, pending judicial nominees are confirmed by the end of the year.

How we understand the rule of law would seem to be at stake in the lame-duck; recently, Bloomberg Law quoted Gregg Nunziata of the conservative Society for the Rule of Law saying that a second Trump Administration should look to confirm “highly credentialed, very right-wing nominees who are committed to an agenda, not towards neutral judging.” So the notion of “neutral judging” may be under assault during the next Administration.

As Unitarian Universalists we support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions within our congregations, our Association, and society at large, and we covenant to dismantle racism and all forms of systemic oppression. Inclusive process applies here.

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Letter to Senators

Dear Senator, 

I am writing to you to express the urgency of continuing to build a federal judiciary that lives up to its promise of equal justice for all, and upholds neutral judging. It is essential that all eligible, qualified, pending judicial nominees are confirmed by the end of the year.

In the last four years, great strides have been made to improve the function of our judiciary through the confirmation of judicial nominees who possess a dedication to civil and human rights. Something which I affirm. Continuing this process and confirming all of the pending judicial nominees is an urgent and enduring moral concern to me. I implore you to stay in and do this necessary work in the remaining days of the Session.

To my view, in the remaining weeks of the 118th Congress, the Senate must confirm every pending judicial nominee. This must be done expeditiously, and the Senate must stay in to get it done. Our democracy depends on qualified, fair-minded judges committed to upholding the rights of all of us and the practice of neutral judging. 

Sincerely