FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/1/2009: We thank Justice Souter for his years of dedicated public service to this country, including nearly two decades on the United States Supreme Court. Throughout his tenure on the Court, Justice Souter has displayed a deep knowledge of, and respect for, the Constitution’s text and history, underscored this past Wednesday in what may have been his last oral argument as a Justice. While his conservative colleagues appeared eager to second-guess Congress in a critical Voting Rights Act case, Justice Souter was the strongest voice for the judicial restraint and respect for Congress our Constitution demands in legislation enforcing the Fifteenth Amendment.

The American people love the Constitution. They want Justices on the Supreme Court who will faithfully interpret the law and apply the text, history, and principles of the Constitution, including all of the Amendments ratified by “We the People” in the past 220 years. CAC urges President Obama to nominate a successor to Justice Souter who deeply respects the Constitution’s text and history and will be vigilant in protecting constitutionally-secured individual rights, including liberty and equality. We can think of no better tribute to David Souter.

CAC recently published an article in The American Prospect which discusses the state of play in the judicial confirmation process and provides advice to the Obama Administration about how to best present and defend Obama judicial nominees from conservative attacks.

For more information, please contact Doug Kendall at 202-296-6889 or doug@theusconstitution.org