Project Vote was present yesterday when the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to favorably report the nomination of Debo Adegbile to head the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Justice Department.
Supporters—including civil rights groups reflecting the broad spectrum of American diversity—filled the Senate hearing room, which overflowed into a line of people waiting in the hall.
Debo Adegbile has devoted his considerable talents to ensuring that the nation’s civil rights laws protect Americans’ ability to live, vote and work as fully equal participants. Project vote applauds the nomination of Mr. Adegbile, who twice defended the Voting Rights Act before the Supreme Court, in addition to heading the NAACP legal Defense and Educational Fund and working in the Senate. The Judiciary Committee voted along party lines, an unfortunate example of partisanship substituting for impartial consideration of a nominee’s qualifications.
Next, the full Senate will vote on the nomination.