Courts

Two outstanding judicial nominees step closer to confirmation

On June 10, the Senate held a cloture vote to advance the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the US Courts of Appeals for the DC Circuit (52-46), and is expected to file cloture on Candace Jackson-Akiwumi to the US Courts of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in the coming week. Judge Jackson has a history of supporting reproductive health care, civil rights, disability rights, and labor rights and Jackson-Akiwumi has spent the majority of her career as a public defender. NCJW supports Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, who have demonstrated deep commitments to protecting civil rights and ensuring equal access to justice throughout their careers.

• Take Action! Urge your senators to support Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and Candace Jackson-Akiwumi.

Public defenders nominated to lifetime appointments

On June 9, the Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings on the nominations of Eunice. Lee to the United State Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and Veronica Rossman to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Both Lee and Rossman have spent their careers as public defenders, with Lee representing more than 380 clients over the past 20 years and Rossman representing over 250 clients in the last 12 years. If confirmed, Lee would be the only judge on the Second Circuit with experience as a public defender, and only the second Black woman to ever serve on the court. Rossman has been a proponent of humane sentencing during the COVID-19 pandemic and brings a critical perspective to the federal bench as an immigrant whose family fled Russia in her early childhood due to antisemitic persecution. NCJW supports the nominations of Eunice Lee and Veronica Rossman, both of whom meet our criteria of being fair, independent, and qualified.

• Take Action! Tell your senators to confirm Eunice Lee and Veronica Rossman to the federal bench.

Voting

For the People Act moving this month

This week, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced his intent to bring the For the People Act (S1) to the floor for a vote at the end of June. This transformational bill would strengthen and restore voting rights and offer new protections for voters, end the dominance of big money in politics, and implement anti-corruption, pro-ethics measures to clean up government. The House passed the For the People Act in March.

• Take Action! Tell your senators to support the For the People Act when it comes up for a vote.