In response to the U.S. Senate’s party line vote of 49-47 yesterday confirming the nomination of Stephen Schwartz to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, Sasha Buchert, Senior Attorney at Lambda Legal released the following statement:
“This confirmation of Stephen Schwartz to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims is another dark day for the U.S. judiciary and the latest attack on LGBTQ people from the Trump-Pence Administration. It’s extremely shameful that in the middle of a pandemic and a lame-duck session, a vote would be held to confirm Mr. Schwartz, a far-right extremist who has repeatedly undermined the civil rights of LGBTQ people and other marginalized communities.”
“Stephen Schwartz’s has a deeply troubling record and a horrific portfolio of anti-transgender advocacy, including supporting the segregation of transgender youth, religious exemptions for corporations to deny reproductive care coverage, Black voter disenfranchisement, privatizing Social Security and eliminating health care and social programs. Among the terrible catalogue of Trump’s nominees, Schwartz ranks at the top because of the extreme damage we know he would inflict upon our communities and institutions. Now, he will serve for 15 years on a consequential court that oversees LGBT issues in the military, and the balance between government actions and the people.”
Since 2017, Lambda Legal have sent numerous letters of opposition to the Senate Judiciary Committee, including a letter this year signed by 20 civil rights organizations, warning that Mr. Schwartz was unqualified for this position, not only due to his record, but also because of his lack of experience and his failure to meet the qualifications set by the American Bar Association.
