ABA Urges Senate to Vote on Appellate Judicial Nominees

The American Bar Association (ABA) weighed in on the federal judicial nominations that are languishing in the U.S. Senate. On June 20, ABA President Wm. T. (Bill) Robinson III sent a letter on behalf of the ABA to Senate Majority and Minority Leaders expressing concern over judicial vacancies and urging the Senate to vote on those pending appellate court nominees who have strong bipartisan support. The letter comes in response to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s announcement that no votes would be allowed on nominees to the federal courts of appeals until after the November election—invoking what is known as the “Thurmond Rule.” Nominees to the district courts will continue to be considered until at least early September.