Organizations opposed to the appointment of Judge Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court, including Jewish groups, will be pressing hard this week to convince the full Senate to reject his nomination.
The groups are calling it a victory that the Senate Judiciary Committee deadlocked 7-7 Friday on the confirmation of the 43-year-old black conservative U.S. Court of Appeals judge.
Opponents of Thomas predict a close battle, noting that Thomas was expected to be approved by the Judiciary Committee until last Thursday, when Sen. Howell Heflin (D-Ala.), who was supposed to be a swing vote, announced he could not support the judge.
The vote was on straight party lines, with the exception of Sen. Dennis DeConcini (D-Ariz.), who voted with the six Republicans on the panel to confirm Thomas.
Six Jewish groups are on record as opposed to Thomas: the American Jewish Congress, Jewish Labor Committee, National Council of Jewish Women, New Jewish Agenda, Union of American Hebrew Congregations and Workmen’s Circle.
Two Jewish groups, both Orthodox, are supporting Thomas: Agudath Israel of America and the National Council of Young Israel.
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