Lambda Legal Statement Following Brennan’s Confirmation Hearing In Senate Judiciary Committee

(Washington, DC, January 24, 2018) – Today, Sharon McGowan, Director of Strategy at Lambda Legal, issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing to confirm Michael Brennan to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit:

“The Senate Judiciary Committee used to be a place where Americans could count on Republican and Democratic Senators to work together to protect the integrity and credibility of our judicial system. But ever since Chairman Chuck Grassley was handed the gavel in 2015, he has thrown out every bipartisan tradition, and with it, the confidence of the American people. Lambda Legal stands with Fair Wisconsin and the numerous other organizations who not only oppose Michael Brennan on the merits but also object to the process by which he was brought before the committee today. The State of Wisconsin put together a bipartisan commission to advance judicial nominees who are qualified and can impart fair and impartial justice for their state. Chairman Grassley has completely bypassed this commission, and has ignored U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s attempt to defend the processes put in place by the people of Wisconsin to make sure that the right kinds of people are nominated for lifetime appointments to the federal judiciary.  The disrespect Chairman Grassley has shown for Wisconsin, his committee’s traditions, and his own colleagues is a sign that we can’t expect a fair review of Michael Brennan or any Trump nominee coming out of this committee.”