Text of Letter (PDF)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) joined Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) and a dozen Black women lawmakers serving in the United States House of Representatives in commending President Biden for committing to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court. The letter further urges the President to consider appointing a Black woman with a strong track record of advancing civil and constitutionally protected rights and whose work has shown dedication to affirming the rights of our country’s most marginalized communities.  

“There is not a single Black woman in the United States Senate to vote to confirm the first Black woman nominated to the Supreme Court,” the members wrote. “[W]e write as a collective to commend you for this historic announcement, and ask that the nominee reflect a deep and abiding commitment to adjudicate with moral and legal clarity…In its 233-year history, all but seven Supreme Court justices have been white men. It is no coincidence that the precedents set by the court in its history have largely reflected the perspective and limitations of those appointed to the bench, all the while, eroding public trust and credibility in an institution established to protect our most sacred and fundamental rights.”

In addition to Congresswomen Pressley and Bush, the letter is signed by Congresswomen Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.-AL), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Gwen Moore (WI–04), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Robin Kelly (IL-02), and Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18). 

A full copy of the letter can be found here.