WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), former North Carolina Judge and First Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, today released the following statement regarding the Senate’s failure to advance Debo P. Adegbile through the confirmation process:
“I have spent my entire career – first as a civil rights attorney, superior court judge, state Supreme Court justice, and now as a Member of Congress – supporting and defending the U.S. Constitution by advocating for equal justice under the law.
“I am disappointed the United States Senate deprived the country of a talented attorney and civil rights advocate who has dedicated his professional career to defending Americans’ constitutional right to legal representation.
“Mr. Debo Adegbile has been unfairly disqualified by a Senate that is more interested in folding to media mischaracterizations than in evaluating his extensive qualifications and experience.
“It is unfortunate that the Senate has a double standard where they expect judicial nominees to only uphold Americans’ constitutionally-afforded right to legal representation when it is politically convenient.”