Supreme Court Vacancy - FCNL

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I was not happy to see this, first thing in my email!

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Supreme Court Vacancy - FCNL

 

- Jeanne E. Herrick-Stare, Esq.

Senior Fellow for Civil Liberties and Human Rights

 

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor riveted the nation today with

announcement of her retirement. In the wake of her announcement and our

profound gratitude to her for an extraordinary career of public service, our

attention turns to the question: who will replace her? Although rumors fly

about short lists and interest groups’ favorite candidates, FCNL urges the

administration and the Senate to approach this historic moment as a unique

opportunity for building unity through consultation.

 

Few pivotal moments for protecting the rights and freedoms of every American

command our attention more than the nomination of an individual to fill a

Supreme Court vacancy. Justices are appointed for life, and they have the last

word in legal determinations interpreting U.S. constitutional issues. Their

decisions affect us all. Supreme Court Justices must be fair, independent, and

committed to protecting individual rights and freedoms, and must be respected

and trusted by a wide range of the citizenry.

 

While considering each nominee for a Supreme Court vacancy, every senator no

matter what political party he or she is part of, has a duty to conduct a

thorough, independent review. Our courts should stand outside of partisan

politics and the political agenda of any politician, political party, or

interest group. In today's rapidly evolving national and international world,

it is more important than ever that the Supreme Court be fair and balanced to

maintain the stability of the rule of law.

 

The founders of our country designed a system of checks and balances that gives

the president and the senate equal responsibility for determining whether a

Supreme Court nominee is qualified and able to serve our country’s best

interests. The president nominates; the Senate confirms. The best way to make

sure this process works is for the president to seek the advice of senators from

both parties prior to making a nomination and to select a mainstream nominee who

can achieve broad, bi-partisan support. Presidents from both parties have done

just that in the past.

 

The Senate must also do its job, ensuring that a new Supreme Court justice will

uphold our constitutional rights and freedoms. No " litmus test " should be used

to qualify a Supreme Court nominee, but the minimum qualifications for each

nominee are clear. The nominee must commit to:

 

fully protect our individual rights and freedoms;

judge every case fairly, with an open mind, and without a political agenda; and

make sure the court protects all the people, with no preference for powerful

special interests.

Our nation is traveling a historic journey. The nomination of a Supreme Court

nominee during these times of intense national divisions is an opportunity for

consultation, not confrontation, for creating unity rather than divisiveness.

Unity will serve our national well, and unity is the fruit of consultation and

compromise.

 

We hold the president and each senator in the Light as they choose the pathway

for this important nomination and confirmation process.

 

_____

 

Friends Committee on National Legislation

245 Second St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-5795

fcnl * www.fcnl.org

phone: (202)547-6000 * toll-free: (800)630-1330

 

We seek a world free of war and the threat of war

We seek a society with equity and justice for all

We seek a community where every person's potential may be fulfilled

We seek an earth restored.

 

 

 

 

 

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