Today, President Obama nominated Patricia Millett, Cornelia Pillard, and District Judge Robert Wilkins to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The President’s action responds to a vacancy crisis on the court, where three of 11 seats are currently empty.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.  (DOJ)

The D.C. Circuit is second only to the United States Supreme Court in its importance to the environment and public health. The court often has the last word in determining whether Americans across the country have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and a healthy environment in which to live.

The following is a statement from Earthjustice Legislative Counsel Sean Helle:

“We commend President Obama for seeking to end the vacancy crisis on our nation’s second-highest court. The D.C. Circuit plays a critical role in guaranteeing all Americans the protections of our environmental laws. The Senate must move expeditiously in considering each of the President’s nominees and ensuring that all of the D.C. Circuit’s empty seats are filled with fair, qualified, and strong judges committed to the rule of law.”