ACLU Urges Senate to Vote No on Alito Cloture Vote, Says Nominee Too Far Outside American Mainstream

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media@dcaclu.org

ACLU Opposes Nomination of Judge Alito

WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today called on senators to vote "no" on the cloture motion to limit debate on the confirmation of Judge Samuel A. Alito to the Supreme Court, and also urged Senators to reject his underlying confirmation.

The following can be attributed to ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero:

"Throughout his career Judge Alito has promoted an alarmingly expansive view of presidential authority. At a time when our president is claiming unprecedented authority to illegally spy on American citizens, our country needs a Supreme Court justice who will stand against this abuse of power. Samuel Alito is not that person.

"Judge Alito’s record regarding civil rights, privacy and a women’s right to choose places him well outside the mainstream and makes him a threat to the rights and liberties of all Americans. If our Senators truly care about our freedoms then they will oppose this nomination and make justified use of the filibuster to stop it."

To read the ACLU’s letter to the Senate on Judge Alito’s nomination, go to:
/scotus/2005/23964leg20060127.html