Sen. Ron Johnson: Strict Obstructionist
Johnson Spent Entire Term Blocking 7th Circuit Court of Appeals
MADISON – For almost two weeks we’ve highlighted Senator Ron Johnson‘s incredibly confusing, twisted logic to explain obstructing the process of filling the current vacancy of the United States Supreme Court. But there is another nomination Johnson is blocking: the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which has had an empty seat for more than six years.
Sen. Johnson’s refusal to do his job dates back to when he first took office in 2010. University of Wisconsin-Madison law professor Victoria Nourse was nominated to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals before the Senator’s 2010 election, but soon after taking office, Johnson took action to block her nomination.
Senator Tammy Baldwin worked with Johnson to establish a bipartisan nominating commission to select a Justice for the court. Even after having equal representation on the commission to vet nominees, Johnson has actively worked to stall the process and obstruct the vacancy from being filled. Six years later, the 7th Circuit holds the dubious distinction of having the nation’s longest federal appeals court vacancy.
“Senator Johnson made national headlines when he sided with Donald Trump and Ted Cruz on nominating a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, but this is the way he’s operated during his entire time in office.” Democratic Party of Wisconsin Executive Director Kory Kozloski said on Friday. “Our state and our nation deserve better than the a Senator who refuses to do their job. In November, voters will send Russ Feingold to Washington to work on their behalf.”
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Democratic Party of Wisconsin
