Ahead of the West Virginia v. EPA Decision, Five Leading Environmental Organizations Urge the Senate to Discharge and Swiftly Confirm Judicial Nominees Nancy Abudu and Dale Ho

As we await the Supreme Court’s decision in West Virginia v. EPA — a case that could hamstring the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to limit carbon pollution and protect public health — five environmental and climate advocacy groups sent a letter to the Senate, urging them to swiftly discharge and confirm leading public-interest lawyers Nancy Abudu and Dale Ho to key federal courts.

Both nominations received tied votes in the Senate Judiciary Committee, thus needing to be discharged in order to move forward. Nancy Abudu, nominee to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and Dale Ho, nominee to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, would bring exceptional experience, commitment to public service, and much-needed diversity to these critically important courts.

Below is a joint statement from Climate Hawks Vote, Earthjustice, the League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club, and the Union of Concerned Scientists:

“Nancy Abudu and Dale Ho are two exceptionally qualified nominees to serve our nation’s courts.

“Despite their demonstrated judicial temperament and commitment to protecting the public, their nominations received tied votes in the Senate Judiciary Committee due to Republican opposition. We strongly urge the Senate to swiftly discharge their nominations and confirm these nominees to their respective courts.

“On the cusp of the Supreme Court issuing their decision in West Virginia v. EPA, which could severely restrict the ability of the EPA to protect the public’s health, it is critical that the Senate confirms judges who recognize the government’s obligation to protect public health and the environment, respect our right to access the courts to hold the government and polluting industries accountable, and can tell the difference between facts and politics.

“As we face unprecedented attacks on our nation’s democracy as well as bedrock environmental laws and climate protections, the Senate must confirm judges who follow the law and stand up for everyday Americans over polluters. We have full confidence that Nancy Abudu and Dale Ho will bring experience, diversity, and a commitment to protecting our rights to clean air, clean water, and an equitable future to the courts.”