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Communications Workers of America Urges Rejection of Ashcroft Nomination
Communications Workers of America President Morton Bahr issued the following statement today. CWA represents more than 740,000 working men and women.
The Communications Workers of America strongly urges the U.S. Senate to reject Sen. John Ashcroft's nomination as Attorney General.
Sen. Ashcroft's voting record in Congress and his veto record during his tenure as governor of Missouri show a marked insensitivity toward the needs and rights of poor and working-class Americans.
As governor, he callously used his veto to kill legislation designed to help the state's most vulnerable residents. His pen wiped out bills to allow new mothers to take unpaid maternity leave, set a state minimum wage, aid severely abused children, provide emergency funds for homeless families and make daycare affordable for the working poor.
In the Senate, he has opposed anti-discrimination laws, hate crimes legislation and measures to preserve the Social Security system in the course of compiling arguably the most extreme right-wing record in the Congress. His dishonest assault on the judicial appointment of Missouri Supreme Court Justice Ronnie White was a cynical political ploy that cast serious doubt about his integrity. His willingness to accept an honorary degree from Bob Jones University was a blatant insult to African Americans which further raises concerns over his judgement and character.
John Ashcroft's views are sharply at odds with laws he would be responsible for enforcing as Attorney General - laws to protect to rights of women, minorities, the elderly, disabled, gays and lesbians, and all working people from abuse and discrimination. He has gone out of his way to earn the mistrust of groups representing all of these interests.
This incredibly divisive nomination should be rejected.
The Communications Workers of America strongly urges the U.S. Senate to reject Sen. John Ashcroft's nomination as Attorney General.
Sen. Ashcroft's voting record in Congress and his veto record during his tenure as governor of Missouri show a marked insensitivity toward the needs and rights of poor and working-class Americans.
As governor, he callously used his veto to kill legislation designed to help the state's most vulnerable residents. His pen wiped out bills to allow new mothers to take unpaid maternity leave, set a state minimum wage, aid severely abused children, provide emergency funds for homeless families and make daycare affordable for the working poor.
In the Senate, he has opposed anti-discrimination laws, hate crimes legislation and measures to preserve the Social Security system in the course of compiling arguably the most extreme right-wing record in the Congress. His dishonest assault on the judicial appointment of Missouri Supreme Court Justice Ronnie White was a cynical political ploy that cast serious doubt about his integrity. His willingness to accept an honorary degree from Bob Jones University was a blatant insult to African Americans which further raises concerns over his judgement and character.
John Ashcroft's views are sharply at odds with laws he would be responsible for enforcing as Attorney General - laws to protect to rights of women, minorities, the elderly, disabled, gays and lesbians, and all working people from abuse and discrimination. He has gone out of his way to earn the mistrust of groups representing all of these interests.
This incredibly divisive nomination should be rejected.
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