WASHINGTON – Twenty-two Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) organizations joined Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC in an open letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell calling upon his leadership in urging all members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to fulfill their constitutional obligations in the judicial nomination process.
The letter comes in response to the declaration by Chairman Chuck Grassley, joined by other Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, that they will not hold hearings on any nomination made by President Obama for the Supreme Court.
Mee Moua, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, issued the following statement:
“Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC is outraged by the Senate Republicans’ refusal to hold confirmation hearings or vote on a Supreme Court nominee. This political gamesmanship and disregard of constitutional duty opens us to uncertainties in the interpretation of our laws and threatens the stability of our democracy.
There are critical issues before the Court this term, and the American people deserve to have a fully functioning third branch of government. We expect Senate leadership to do its job just as the President will in making a nomination.”
Advancing Justice | AAJC works to empower AAPI communities across the country by bringing local and national constituencies together, advocating for federal policy that reflects the needs of Asian Americans, and empowering Asian Americans to be able to fully participate in our democracy. Ensuring that we have three fully functioning branches of government is essential to that work.”
