To: Sen. Bill Cassidy (LA-1) and Sen. John Kennedy (LA-2)
Withdraw Wendy Vitter's Nomination
At her confirmation hearing, district court nominee Wendy Vitter refused to say whether she believes the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling was decided correctly. This is disqualifying, and her nomination must be withdrawn.
Why is this important?
On January 23, President Trump nominated Wendy Vitter to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. At her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 11, Sen. Blumenthal asked Vitter whether she believes Brown v. Board of Education was decided correctly. She refused to answer.
Watch the shocking exchange here: https://twitter.com/civilrightsorg/status/984135758440263702
The 1954 Brown decision was a unanimous ruling that struck down segregation in our nation's public schools. Nominees to our federal courts who cannot say, without qualification, that they believe Brown was correctly decided should not be considered for lifetime positions on the federal bench.
Before Vitter's hearing, civil rights organizations like ours were already opposed to her confirmation because of her extreme record. Vitter has taken irresponsible positions on women’s health and reproductive freedom, and she attempted to hide some of those views by failing to disclose them to the Senate. She also has a history of insensitivity to the rights of immigrants.
After her hearing, we're even more outraged. Federal courts won't protect our civil and human rights if we don't protect the federal courts – but we need your help. Join us in urging Louisiana's Senators Kennedy and Cassidy to stand up for fair courts and call for Vitter's immediate withdrawal.