WASHINGTON—In response to Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley holding the U.S. Senate floor for more than 15 hours Tuesday night and Wednesday morning to protest the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, People For the American Way Executive Vice President Marge Baker released the following statement:

“Senator Merkley’s incredible stand underscores just how important this fight is. A Supreme Court justice serves for a lifetime and has an unparalleled impact on our rights and liberties. Merkley’s all-night speech is exactly the kind of extended debate senators need to have about a nominee—especially one with as extreme of a record as Neil Gorsuch.

“Sen. Merkley tapped into a groundswell of momentum aimed at preventing Gorsuch from becoming a Supreme Court justice. Americans are rightly concerned about the potential for rolling back fundamental rights and protections, from reproductive freedom to voting rights to money in politics measures to workers’ rights. We applaud Sen. Merkley for giving voice to those concerns on the floor of the Senate—for over 15 hours.”

PFAW spokespeople are available for TV, radio, and print interviews on Gorsuch and progressive efforts to stop him. To schedule one, please email [email protected].

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and defend constitutional values including free expression, religious liberty, equal justice under the law, and the right to meaningfully participate in our democracy.

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