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BRINGING THE SUPREMES IN LINE WITH
THE LAW
The U.S. Supreme Court has a
miserable record when it comes to hiring
women and minorities to serve
as clerks to the justices (WFF,
9/25/98). Of the 428 clerks hired by
sitting justices, only 7% have been
minority and 25% have been female (best
record on women: Breyer 50%; worst:
Rehnquist, 13%). They've probably gotten
away with it because
they are exempt from federal employment
and anti-discrimination laws.
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) has introduced
a bill to change the numbers. The Judicial
Branch Employment Nondiscrimination
Act (HR. 1048) would make Title VII
of the 1964 Civil Rights act (outlawing
discrimination on the basis of race
and sex) fully applicable to the judicial
branch of the government.
Ask your member of the House to co-sponsor
at 202-224-3121 (or send e-mail).
Clerks draft opinions and help
shape the Court's thinking. If more
women and minorities were clerks, chances
are fewer opinions would be anti-woman
or bad for minorities.
(WFF 3/19/99)
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