Supreme Court

PFAW Backs Ban on Foreign Electioneering in Wake of Citizens United

In response to the introduction of legislation by Senator Al Franken that would protect federal, state, and local elections from foreign influence, People For the American Way Executive Vice President Marge Baker said, "President Obama was exactly right when he raised the threat of undue foreign influence in US elections following the Supreme Court's irresponsible decision in Citizens United v. FEC."

The Need for Constitutional Amendment in Response to Supreme Court Decision in Citizens United v. FEC

On Thursday, January 21st, in the case of Citizens United v. FEC, 2010 U.S. LEXIS 766,involving Section 441b of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA), the U.S. Supreme Court made a radical about-face and reversed long-standing precedent that had previously upheld the constitutionality of the federal law that restricts independent corporate spending in elections.

PFAW Applauds Obama for Criticizing Citizens United Decision

In his annual State of the Union address to Congress, President Obama criticized the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Citizens United v. FEC. People For the American Way President Michael B. Keegan applauded the remarks, including the President’s focus on this dangerous ruling.

Editorial Memo: The Citizens United Decision and How to Fix It

The Supreme Court upended our political system with its decision in Citizens United v. FEC. The decision represents an unprecedented attack on the core democratic values of the Constitution.

People For the American Way Calls for Constitutional Amendment to Undo Supreme Court Decision

In response to today's Supreme Court ruling, which overturned over one hundred years of established law limiting the impact of corporations on elections, People For the American Way called for a constitutional amendment, in addition to legislative remedies, to restore Congress's ability to regulate corporate influence on elections.

Roberts Court Puts Corporate Power above Individual Rights

In response to today's Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC, People For the American Way president Michael B. Keegan said, "Today's ruling is yet another example of selective enforcement of constitutional rights by the Roberts Court."

In Historic Senate Vote, Judge Sonia Sotomayor Confirmed to the Supreme Court

By a vote of 68 to 31, the Senate today confirmed Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court. PFAW's Marge Baker called her confirmation "a historic step for the nation and a triumph of the American way."

Senate Judiciary Committee Votes in Favor of Sotomayor

Judge Sotomayor is one step closer to confirmation to the Supreme Court with today's Senate Judiciary Committee vote to send her nomination to the full Senate.

Right Wing Attacks on Sotomayor Gain Little Traction

Right-wing leaders geared up months ago to oppose any Supreme Court nominee that the Obama administration might have an opportunity to make, and they have doggedly followed their script through the announcement of David Souter's intention to resign, the announcement of Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination, and her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. For all their professed concern about the "politicization" of the judiciary, right-wing leaders have been planning since before President Obama's inauguration to treat any Supreme Court nominee primarily as a chance to begin political attacks on red and purple state Democrats with an eye to elections in 2010 and 2012.

Themes from the Right -- Day 2

The second day of right-wing attacks on Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor continued many of the themes of the first day’s attacks, mostly distortions of her judicial record and public remarks and distortions of President Obama’s desire for judges who exhibit empathy. National Review published a wave of anti-Sotomayor commentary on its website.

Sotomayor Excels at Day Two of Confirmation Hearings

Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor performed exceptionally in her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings this week. See some of our coverage of the hearings on Facebook, Twitter or here on our blog. Please sign the petition to the Senate urging the confirmation of Judge Sotomayor if you have not already

Senator Hatch Attacks Straw Man over Ricci 'Smear'

People For the American Way responds to Orrin Hatch's comments at the confirmation hearing of Judge Sonia Sotomayor.

Themes from the Right -- Nomination Day

Right-wing political and legal groups and pundits responded to President Barack Obama’s nomination of federal appeals court Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court by cranking up their well-funded attack machine, following their pre-fab attack script (they have been attacking her for months as a potential nominee), launching ads against her confirmation, and threatening to use the nomination as a political bludgeon against Democrats from more conservative states.

Day One of Confirmation Hearings a Big Win for Sotomayor

The first day of hearings for the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor concluded today with Judge Sotomayor's opening statement. People For the American Way Executive Vice President Marge Baker issued the following statement: "Today's hearings went exceptionally well for Judge Sotomayor, and I think she made it very clear why President Obama chose to nominate her for a seat on our nation's highest Court."

PFAW Statement on Frank Ricci Discrimination Cases

PFAW statement about the important role that employment discrimination laws play for all Americans and the Right's use of loaded terms like "reverse discrimination" to attack Judge Sotomayor over the decision in Ricci v. DeStefano.

Supreme Court Rules Against Diversity in Ricci

The Supreme Court today ruled 5-4 to overturn the Second Circuit’s decision in Ricci v. DeStefano. The Court's ruling severely limits the ability of governments and private corporations to create a diverse workforce.

The Ricci Ruling and the Sotomayor Nomination

In anticipation of a ruling by the Supreme Court in Ricci v. DeStefano today or Monday, People For the American Way Executive Vice President Marge Baker issued the following statement: "Opponents of Judge Sotomayor have gone to great lengths to use the ruling of her panel in Ricci v. DeStefano against her, and they will surely ramp up their efforts if the Supreme Court overturns the Second Circuit. But the simple fact is that the Supreme Court's ruling, whatever it may be, will not reflect upon Sotomayor's jurisprudence."

Nomination on Track, Sotomayor Hearings Set to Begin July 13th

In response to the announcement of the confirmation hearings for Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, People For the American Way President Michael B. Keegan had the following statement: "Today's announcement is a clear sign that Judge Sonia Sotomayor is on track to be confirmed to the Supreme Court. Judge Sotomayor is an eminently qualified nominee, and the misguided efforts by some prominent Republicans and their right-wing allies to smear her have failed."

African American Ministers Urge Swift Confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor To the Supreme Court

Statement by African American Ministers in Action Chair Rev. Tim McDonald

In the days following President Barack Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to replace retiring Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court, the right-wing has hurled false, partisan-fueled attacks of incompetence and "reverse racism," as they strategize on how to oppose a nominee with more federal judicial experience than anyone currently serving on the Court. In response to President Obama's nomination of Judge Sotomayor, and the false right-wing attacks, Rev.

PFAW Statement on Nomination of Sonia Sotomayor

In reponse to the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. People For the American Way President Michael B. Keegan said, "President Obama has made a superb choice. Judge Sotomayor has one of the sharpest intellects on the federal bench. She's shown that she'll bring an open mind to the Court and rule on each case according to its particular merits. This nomination is good news for people who care about the future of our rights and liberties. Now it's up to our Senators to avoid the distraction of attacks from the far right and work for a smooth, fair confirmation process.
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