WASHINGTON—In response to the announcement by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley that they would not return blue slips on the nomination of Ryan Bounds to serve on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, People For the American Way Vice President Marge Baker issued the following statement.
“Senators Wyden and Merkley deserve applause for standing up for Oregon’s longstanding tradition of bipartisan consultation when it comes to judicial nominations. In Oregon, as in other states, Donald Trump is trying to steamroll Democrats by refusing to meaningfully consult with home state senators before nominating judges for lifetime seats on the federal bench. That kind of arrogance is exactly why the blue slip process exists: to ensure that Senators and the White House work together to choose mutually agreeable nominees.
“During the Obama administration, not a single nominee received a hearing without a blue slip from both home state senators. This is the end of the road for the Bounds nomination. Now it’s up to Donald Trump to consult with Senators Wyden and Merkley to find a consensus nominee who is right for the people of Oregon.”
People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and defend constitutional values including free expression, religious liberty, equal justice under the law, and the right to meaningfully participate in our democracy.
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