U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Takes to Senate Floor to Call for Unanimous Consent on Schott Nomination to 7th Circuit Court

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This afternoon, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin will go to the Senate floor and call for unanimous consent to proceed to a vote on Donald Schott’s nomination to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Wisconsin’s seat on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals is over six years old and is the longest-standing federal circuit court vacancy in the country. Today marks the 2,435th day of this vacancy.

“The American people deserve full and functioning courts, from the Supreme Court to our district courts. This Wisconsin seat on the Seventh Circuit has been vacant longer than any other federal circuit court judgeship, for more than six years. That is unacceptable and I am calling on the Senate to do its job and vote on this nomination,” said Senator Baldwin. “Don Schott has received strong, bipartisan support throughout this nomination process because he has the experience, qualifications and temperament to be an outstanding federal judge.  He deserves a Senate vote without further delay and the people of Wisconsin deserve a fully-functioning federal appeals court to ensure the swift and thorough administration of justice.”

In June, Schott’s nomination was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee with a strong bipartisan vote. Senator Baldwin sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) requesting that he schedule a floor vote on Donald Schott’s nomination. McConnell has not yet scheduled a Senate vote.  

“The 7th Circuit Court has taken up a number of Wisconsin issues without a Wisconsin seat on the court including women's heath, labor rights, campaign finance, marriage equality and most recently voting rights. These are important issues and the people of Wisconsin deserve better than an empty seat when judgements are made,” said Senator Baldwin.