WASHINGTON, DC - After a minority of U.S. Senators blocked the nomination of Caitlin Halligan to the D.C. Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement:

We are disappointed that a minority of Senators chose to block the President's nomination of Caitlin Halligan to the D.C. Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. Ms. Halligan is a highly qualified candidate, yet Senate Republicans blocked an up or down vote on her nomination for reasons completely unrelated to her competency to serve on the court.

"The D.C. Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, one of the most important courts in the nation, is prevented from doing its important work since four vacancies remain on the court. This is part of a growing vacancy crisis in courts across the country which is fueled by the Senate minority's refusal to allow votes on the President's judicial nominees. It is outrageous that a minority of Senators continue to misuse Senate rules to advance their political agenda. Caitlin Halligan and the working families of this country deserve better."

"

###