1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Today I’m writing to urge you to reject Ed Artau for Southern District of Florida: His record demonstrates a real hostility towards reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ equality that renders him unfit for a lifetime federal appointment. He ought to have had his blue slip withheld, but this is a Florida nominee, he made it to committee. He must not go further. As an attorney, Artau vigorously defended Mississippi's ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, a direct violation of precedents affirming the constitutional right to abortion care. He has also worked to allow discrimination against LGBTQ+ people on religious grounds. A judge must uphold equal rights and liberties for all, not advance an ideological agenda opposed to core Constitutional principles. Artau’s vehement defense of Trump — while seeking this nomination from his administration — raises serious questions about his impartiality, and fitness. He’s just another hyper-partisan person seeking advancement by favors. That ought to automatically disqualify him. Of course, he will prevaricate, dodge questions in testimony, so it must on his record that we make our case to send him back to Florida State Courts. Ed Artau will not stand for just laws. He will be yet another corrosive element to our justice system. I urge you to reject Artau's nomination and insist on a nominee committed to protecting individual freedoms and civil rights. Thank you.