Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and Jane B. Wishner, Chair of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, have written the Senate Judiciary Committee asking that they ask “difficult questions” of Alberto Gonzales, the president's nominee for Attorney General. Gonzales, in his role as White House counsel, has argued that the United States does not need to heed international prohibitions on torture.
More broadly, we hope that the nomination process will provide Mr. Gonzales an opportunity to discuss his prospective role in shaping the overall civil rights record of the Administration. In September, the United States Commission on Civil Rights published a 166-page draft report that provided a critical assessment of the Administration’s record in its first term. It is important that Mr. Gonzales be asked about the role of the Attorney General in addressing the issues raised by the report.
Finally, we also urge you to question Mr. Gonzales about his view on religious liberty issues, in relation to both the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment. We have been concerned, for example, about efforts to pass constitutional amendments and laws that would substantially weaken or eliminate the establishment clause, and would ask you to explore Mr. Gonzales’ role in those efforts.
Click here to read their full press statement and letter.
Related post: An Open Letter to Alberto R. Gonzales From Religious Leaders
