Letter to the Senate: “No” on Howard Nielson for Federal Judge

March 27, 2018

Dear Senator:

Americans marched across the country on Saturday, March 24 to demand increased gun control and school safety measures. We want a comprehensive bill to address gun violence, and for you to protect America from judges that are influenced by the gun lobby.

It’s time for every Senator in America to go on record publicly against Howard Nielson, who has been nominated for a lifetime judgeship in the District of Utah, and prevent his nomination from moving forward.

Nielson has led the effort against common-sense gun reform. He has represented the NRA in arguing that the Supreme Court should overturn a ban on handgun purchases to people under the age of 21 and has authored a memo arguing for expanded interpretation of the 2nd Amendment.

As if that weren’t enough, Nielson has fought against protecting the environment, affirmative action, equality for LGBTQ Americans, reproductive rights for women, and healthcare for all.

As our nation reaffirms our opposition to torture in advance of Gina Haspel’s nomination to lead the CIA, it is also crucially important to oppose Nielson, due to his involvement in providing the legal justification for the mistreatment of persons in custody.

If you support the goals of #NeverAgain, you cannot allow Howard Nielson’s nomination to proceed. I will be watching to see that you go on the record opposing him.

Sincerely,

Your constituent