WASHINGTON, DC – Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) released the following statement on the failed cloture vote for Debo P. Adegbile’s confirmation for Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division:

“I am extremely disappointed in today’s Senate vote that denied this country a public servant who has a personal and professional commitment to protecting the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans. Debo Adegbile’s experience as a lawyer and a civil rights advocate cannot be questioned; however today, Mr. Adegbile was not evaluated on merit or qualifications, but on unwarranted and undue attacks on his character.

“While working for an organization that advocates for equality and due process of law, Mr. Adegbile represented a client who had the legal right to an attorney. This right to legal representation, granted to each of us by the Constitution, is also one our Senators are sworn-in to uphold. It is also a right that Mr. Adegbile has tirelessly worked to defend. 

“According to a statement released by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Mr. Adegbile is not the first attorney nominated to federal office who has represented an unpopular clienton death row. But the efforts to destroy Mr. Adegbile’s reputation in the media and to diminish his character are unprecedented. 

“With this vote, the Senate set a dangerous precedent and sent an unfortunate message to talented and qualified individuals who wish to serve the public. Every American has the right to legal representation and every individual should be evaluated based on their credentials. In Mr. Adegbile’s case, neither of these principles seemed to matter.

“Mr. Adegbile and the American people deserve better than the Senate delivered today. I urge the Senate to confirm Mr. Adegible’s as Assistant Attorney General of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division without further delay.”

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