Des Moines — 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.
“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.”
“LGBTQ Iowans rely on a fair and impartial court system to uphold and defend their rights,” One Iowa Action Executive Director Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel said. “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.”
“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.”
View the petition here: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/add-your-name-to-tell-chuck-grassley-dont-rubber-stamp-trumps-judges-2
Iowans will deliver the petition signatures to Senator Grassley’s offices in Iowa in the coming weeks. Organizations participating in the petition drive include 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.
