"In nominating his lawyer, Harriet Miers to be an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, the President has selected a person whose views and approach to the law on issues of concern to the National Urban League are unknown. Because of the lack of a strong record, it is more important than ever that the U.S. Senate take seriously its constitutional advice and consent duty and carefully scrutinize this nomination.

This nomination is of particular concern to the National Urban League because, if confirmed, Ms. Miers would succeed Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who demonstrated an independence in her decision-making that often led her to cast the all-important 'swing vote' in important civil rights cases. On occasion, Justice O'Connor saved the day by voting to uphold civil rights protections, as she did when casting the deciding vote upholding the University of Michigan Law School affirmative action program. The recent confirmation of Chief Justice John Roberts, whose record raised a number of concerns about his commitment to civil rights, makes this appointment all the more relevant to us because the Court must maintain a measure of balance that Justice O'Connor's presence helped to provide.

Because the seat she seeks to fill is of such critical importance to the future of civil rights, it is imperative that the U.S. Senate carefully study Ms. Miers' background, philosophy and views in order to determine her fitness for the U.S. Supreme Court. We call upon Ms. Miers to be forthright with the Senate and the American people, to permit full access to her entire record, and to provide direct, open and comprehensive answers to questions about her views and approach on civil rights, affirmative action, voting rights and other issues of concern to a broad range of Americans.

The National Urban League will thoroughly examine Ms. Miers' record and positions in the coming weeks and we urge the Senate to do the same, in order to ensure that Justice O'Connor will be succeeded by a Justice who is fully committed to upholding important and essential civil rights protections."