Local and national organizations today launched a petition drive, encouraging Iowans and Americans to demand that Senator Grassley stop politicizing the Judiciary Committee, where he serves as Chair, and to provide true oversight to President Trump’s judicial nominees instead of acting as a rubber stamp.

“LGBTQ Iowans rely on a fair and impartial court system to uphold and defend their rights,” One Iowa Action Executive Director Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel. “The blue slip process supports that system by providing a crucial check to the president’s power and encouraging bipartisan cooperation to select qualified federal judges. If it is removed, it would be disastrous for the rights of LGBTQ people and many others. We urge LGBTQ Iowans and their allies to sign this petition and let their senators know we need an independent judiciary.”

“Senator Grassley has turned the judiciary committee into a political rubber stamp for President Trump’s nominees,” said Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa. “Every Iowan should be embarrassed of his actions and every American should be concerned that this independent branch of government is being overtaken by partisanship. This has to stop.”

“Iowans expect more from their Senator,” said Sue Dinsdale, executive director of Iowa Citizen Action Network. “We hear Senator Grassley talk frequently about his strong record of bipartisanship, and working across the aisle. Unfortunately it’s becoming clear that it’s all talk, and very little action. Judicial nominees receiving a lifetime appointment should be highly scrutinized, not rubber stamped.”

“We have advocated for a diverse and independent judiciary for years,” said Chris Schwartz, director of Americans for Democratic Action Iowa. “Unfortunately Senator Grassley’s actions have set back that goal, and made our courts far too partisan, pushing through nominees with a narrow-minded agenda. Every Iowan and American should speak out against this drastic change to our courts.”

Iowans will deliver the petition signatures to Senator Grassley’s offices in Iowa in the coming weeks.

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS: American Bridge 21st Century, Americans for Democratic Action Iowa, Battle Born Progress, Daily Kos, Iowa Citizen Action Network, NARAL Pro-Choice America Iowa, One Iowa Action, People’s Action, People for the American Way, Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Progress Florida, Progress Iowa, and ProgressOhio.

PETITION LINK:

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/add-your-name-to-tell-chuck-grassley-dont-rubber-stamp-trumps-judges-2  

PETITION LANGUAGE:

Independent courts matter more now than ever. President Trump’s Muslim ban. Access to reproductive health care. The rights of people of color and LGBTQ Americans. Securing workers’ rights. Fighting climate change. Every issue we face as a country comes before the courts, and Trump is trying to stack the judiciary with his extreme nominees.

Add your name to tell Senators Chuck Grassley, Mitch McConnell and all Senate Republicans: Don’t rubber stamp Trump’s judges!

Americans want their senators to provide a check on President Trump, not to give him a rubber stamp.

Unfortunately, Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, have pushed through twice as many judicial nominees than were confirmed at this point during President Obama’s term.

Just how bad is it? Republicans have now done away with the “blue slip” process that gives each Senator input and approval on judicial nominees from their home state.

Blue slips have been in place for decades. Back when President Obama was in office, Republicans pushed hard for them to remain in place. However, now that Trump wants to put his dangerous mark on the judicial branch, Republicans are hypocritically flipping the script.

Enough is enough.

Sign the petition to tell Senate Republicans that we need an independent judiciary. Stop rubber stamping Trump’s judicial nominees!

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