Posted on April 12, 2010

Black Caucus Chairwoman Urges Diversity in Court Pick

Russell Berman, The Hill, April 9, 2010

Just hours after Justice John Paul Stevens handed in his retirement notice, President Barack Obama came under pressure to appoint a second black justice to the Supreme Court.

A leading African-American lawmaker is urging Obama to consider women and minority candidates as he selects a replacement for Stevens.

“It is essential President Obama consider gender and ethnic diversity on the high court in an increasingly diverse America,” Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said in a statement Friday, {snip}.

When Justice David Souter left the court a year ago, CBC members suggested Obama consider one of their own colleagues, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), who sits on the House Judiciary Committee.

{snip}