Damien Schiff Unsuited to Federal Bench
National Council of Jewish Women
1707 L Street NW, Suite 950
Washington, DC 20036-4206
Contact: Amanda Lang
Director of Marketing and Communications
212.870.2738
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2017, Washington, DC – The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) today expressed its strong opposition to President Trump’s nomination of Damien M. Schiff, senior attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation, for a seat on the US Court of Federal Claims. NCJW CEO Nancy K. Kaufman released the following statement:
“Among other things, Schiff wrote an anonymous 2009 piece entitled “Teaching ‘gayness’ in public schools,” where he railed against the anti-bullying lesson plan of a California school district. He has argued vociferously against the application of Title IX in high schools, on the basis that there is no proof of “sexual discrimination going on in high schools.” And in a 2008 blog posting, he equated abortion with slavery.
“Anyone who takes the oath to uphold the Constitution must have demonstrated that he or she possesses the judicial temperament for the job, as well as a basic respect for the judicial system, existing federal judges, and most especially justices of the Supreme Court. While the Court of Claims is less well known and not of general interest, the nomination could well serve as a stepping stone to a more powerful seat elsewhere on the bench. By the time that happens, Schiff supporters undoubtedly hope that he will have been sanitized by a period of forced silence as a sitting judge, and common memory will have been cleansed of his more odious utterances.
“Damien Schiff must not be elevated to the federal bench, one day an extreme partisan and the next cloaked in the respectability of judicial office. NCJW opposes his nomination.”
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. More information on Facebook and on Twitter at @NCJW.