Posted in: Election 2012, Moving in Congress

Obama’s judicial nominees face possible challenge from GOP Senators

Tag GOP, judicial nominations, President Barack Obama, Republicans, U.S. Senate

by Brian Washington/Official White House photo above by Pete Souza

The judiciary is playing an increasingly important role in the lives of hardworking Americans. That’s because legislation linked to the issues that matter to the middle class—like public education, health care, and the ability to have a voice in the workplace—are often debated in some of our nation’s highest courts.

Next week, lawmakers in the U.S. Senate could take action on as many as 17 out of 20 judicial nominations of the Obama Administration. If confirmed, these judges would fill court vacancies in communities across the country—including areas where seats on the bench have been vacant for more than 18 months. It’s an urgent priority for areas with particularly high numbers of case filings.

But GOP leaders are hoping to stall the process by denying the chamber the 60 votes necessary for each nominee to win confirmation. Senate Democrats have condemned the unprecedented obstruction.

The President’s nominees enjoy broad support from both Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee. In fact, the committee members approved 13 of the nominations unanimously. The group is also pretty diverse—with 9 women and 10 minorities, including candidates who are gay, Latino, African American, and Asian American.

Americans want a judiciary system that works fairly for everyone and not just a privileged few. The Obama Administration is fighting to make sure that all citizens have equal access to a fair hearing in court. If you are an educator and public education matters to you, then who is on the courts should also matter to you.

Sign up to get the latest information from Education Votes on the confirmation process for President Obama’s judicial nominees and how you can help move them forward in the Senate.