WASHINGTON, DC - After President Obama made three nominations to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement:

SEIU applauds President Obama's announcement today of his three nominations to fill the pending vacancies on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. These judicial nominees are extremely well qualified and will bring with them significant legal expertise and thoughtful judgment.

"This court is a critical appellate court for judicial review of federal law enforcement affecting worker rights as well as regulations and executive action protecting consumers, the environment and financial security for working families. In the past decade this important role has been seriously undermined by numerous vacancies which have tilted the rulings of the court to the extreme ideological right. In order to restore balance to the court for ordinary people seeking justice and fill long standing vacancies, President Obama today nominated three strong candidates from very different backgrounds and legal experiences. The confirmation of Cornelia Pillard, Robert Leon Wilkins and Patricia Ann Millett would restore a court that has an essential role in protecting the rights of workers.

"These highly qualified nominees should not be victims of partisan obstruction and should be given a swift and fair up or down vote on the merits of their nominations in the Senate as soon as possible."

"

###