James C. Ho is nominated to be a judge on the federal appeals court (Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals). Unlike most of Trump’s other nominees, Ho presents some redeeming factors: He has supported birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants and performed pro bono work on behalf of crime victims, wrongly convicted individuals, and immigrants facing deportation. On the downside he is a member of the right-wing Federalist Society and has done work with the president of the First Liberty Institute, an organization known for its anti-choice and anti-LGBT views.
The most troubling aspect of Ho’s record concerns LGBT rights. As solicitor general, Ho vigorously defended bans on same-sex marriage before those laws were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. He may further erode the barrier between church and state, and is likely to support private religious practice in areas that are considered public–whether it’s a football coach making a show of praying on the field or a pastry cook who refuses to make a wedding cake for a gay couple.
Ho has strenuously opposed campaign finance reform. Speaking in language reminiscent of the Citizens United case, which opened the doors much wider to corrupting “dark money” in our politics, Ho has advocated an end to all restrictions on campaign finance.
Please call your Senators to oppose the Ho nomination and say:
My name is _____, I’m a constituent from [zip code]. Please vote No on James C. Ho for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. I’m concerned that as a judge Ho will cut back on LGBT rights, and he will support the corrupting influence of big money in our politics. Ho has worked to oppose LGBT rights, including same-sex marriage, and he has openly supported an end to all restrictions on campaign finance.
To find your senators, see https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members.
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