People for American Way Issues Statement on Vote to Advance Brasher Nomination

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- People for the American Way issued the following statement by Marge Baker, executive vice president for policy and program, on the Senate Judiciary Committee vote to advance the nomination of Andrew Brasher, a President Trump nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit:

"It is deeply saddening that as we prepare to observe the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who fought so passionately for voting rights, that we would see an anti-voting rights judicial nominee like Andrew Brasher advance in the Senate. Brasher's record in Alabama shows his hostility to voting rights.

"Among other things, he filed an amicus brief in the Shelby County case in which he urged the Supreme Court to gut the Voting Rights Act. He has defended racial gerrymandering. His record on rights for LGBTQ Americans, on reproductive rights, consumer rights and in many other critical areas is similarly disturbing.

"Finally, we strongly believe that no judicial nominations should be proceeding while the president who made them is facing an impeachment trial -- as was forcefully argued by several Democratic senators on the Judiciary Committee this morning. All nomination and confirmation processes for judicial nominees should have been halted during this critical time."

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About People For the American Way

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: http://www.pfaw.org.