Congresswoman Nikema Williams Pushes Key Reform in Supreme Court Nomination Process

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer requesting that the Senate build on the successful process surrounding Associate Justice-designate Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation and codify procedures to ensure all Supreme Court nominees receive full and fair consideration.

Recent Supreme Court appointments have become increasingly politicized. Congresswoman Williams’letter requests a new Senate rule to ensure the Senate fulfills its constitutional duty to provide advice and consent on Supreme Court nominees.

The letter reads in part: 

“We must ensure that appointments are carried out as the Constitution intends. This will rely on passing a Senate rule that ensures that no political party or Senator can subvert their advice and consent duties for political purposes. This rule should require Supreme Court nominees to be brought for consideration according to reasonable and consistent procedures during the same Congress of the President’s nomination unless the President withdraws the nomination. 

“By ensuring the Senate will provide fair and consistent advice and consent, we can prevent gamesmanship and ensure the Court is insulated from partisanship. I look forward to working with you toward reform that ensures our legislative branch consistently operates in a way that supports our constitutional checks and balances.”

Click here to read the letter Congresswoman Williams sent to Majority Leader Schumer.

CONTACT: PressGA05@mail.house.gov 

Congresswoman Nikema Williams proudly serves Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District. Congresswoman Williams serves on the exclusive Financial Services Committee where she is Vice Chair of the Oversight and Investigations subcommittee, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the Select Committee for the Modernization of Congress. She is Freshman Class President and Co-Chairs the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus. Congresswoman Williams builds on the Fifth District’s legacy as the cradle of the civil rights movement as a champion of voting rights, closing the racial wealth gap, and ensuring the promise of America for all–regardless of their ZIP code or bank account.

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