Planned Parenthood Votes Nevada Opposes Ninth Circuit Judicial Nominee  

Trump Judicial Nominee, Lawrence VanDyke has a long record of ideological extremism and opposing reproductive rights       

Las Vegas, NV — Today, the Trump administration announced that former Nevada Solicitor General Lawrence VanDyke has been nominated to a lifetime appointment in the Ninth Circuit court of appeals, despite VanDyke’s long history of  working to undermine American civil liberties. While he served as Montana Solicitor General, VanDyke filed an amicus brief in support of a 20-week abortion ban in Arizona and advocated for overturning the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision. In addition to his extreme views on abortion rights --  views not shared by a majority of the American public-- he also filed an amicus brief in a New Mexico lawsuit  to deny the rights of LGBTQ people.  

VanDyke, whose credentials and experience have routinely been challenged, has never served as a judge. In response to his recent court appointment, Nevada U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen have voiced strong opposition, noting that the White House ignored their efforts to find a consensus candidate.  

Statement of Lindsey Harmon, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Votes Nevada:  

“The Trump administration has systematically undermined the U.S. judicial system for nearly three years. The Ninth Circuit-appointment of Lawrence VanDyke, a public official whose extreme beliefs and lack of experience have defined his career, is another sign that the scales of justice in this country have tipped in favor of those whose political extremism often far outweighs their professional credentials and qualification.  

Planned Parenthood Votes Nevada applauds Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen for standing up for Nevadans and opposing this nomination. We must speak out to protect our courts from activist judges like VanDyke who are unqualified and whose beliefs are out of step with the large majority of Americans.” 

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