The Waiting Is the Hardest Part

Crucial Justice Department nominations are still being held up in the Senate.

Dawn Johnsen, nominated to head the Office of Legal Counsel, and Tom Perez, whom the president picked to lead the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, have been waiting for many months to be confirmed. Seven and five months, respectively. The last action on Johnsen's nomination occurred on March 19 and the last action for Perez on June 4. Both were placed on the executive calendar, but Republicans are obstructing the much-needed restoration of the DOJ’s role as a guardian of civil rights and liberties.

While there may be a vote on the Perez nomination as early as later next week, nothing is certain, and we need to keep up the pressure on all senators – with the message that these are vital positions that need to be filled. There is no reason to object to or obstruct the confirmation process of these highly qualified nominees.

Call your senators now and urge them to do all they can to help confirm Dawn Johnsen and Tom Perez. Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202)224-3121, ask to be connected with your senators’ offices, and tell them it is time to put an end to the partisan games.

The Justice Department was severely damaged during the Bush administration and the leadership of Dawn Johnsen and Tom Perez in two of its most important offices will help get it back on track defending our rights and liberties [not sure if I missed this in the original, but there shouldn't be a colon here] .

Call now. And ask others to do the same.