Letter Opposing the Nomination of John "Jack" McConnell to Serve on the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island

The Honorable Patrick Leahy
Chairman
Committee on the Judiciary
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Jeff Sessions
Ranking Member
Committee on the Judiciary
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Chairman Leahy and Ranking Member Sessions:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region, strongly opposes the nomination of John "Jack" McConnell to serve on the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island.

As detailed further in the attached multi-industry letter that was sent to the Committee on May 11, 2010, the Chamber believes that Mr. McConnell is unfit to serve this lifetime appointment to the federal bench. Mr. McConnell’s actions during his career as a personal injury lawyer and past statements demonstrate his disregard for the rule of law, an activist judicial philosophy and obvious bias against businesses. In addition, if confirmed, Mr. McConnell would have a clear conflict of interest because of future compensation arrangements that he currently has in place with his law firm employer for the next 15 years.

The Chamber urges you to oppose this nomination. Should the Committee report Mr. McConnell's nomination to the full Senate, the Chamber would consider votes on, or inrelation to, this nomination in our annual How They Voted Scorecard.

Sincerely,

R. Bruce Josten

Cc: The Members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary