Nunn Declares Support for Confirming Thomas

In an unexpected boost for Judge Clarence Thomas’ chances of confirmation to the Supreme Court, Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.) said Tuesday that he will introduce the nominee to the Judiciary Committee and that he intends to support him.

“My intention now is to vote to confirm Judge Thomas’ nomination to the Supreme Court but I will reserve final judgment until the Judiciary Committee’s proceedings are concluded,” Nunn said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, Rep. Edward R. Roybal (D-Los Angeles), chairman of the House Select Committee on Aging, urged Thomas’ defeat, accusing Thomas of not enforcing laws against age discrimination during his eight-year tenure as chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

“A review of the EEOC’s record under Judge Thomas shows an uncaring, and often antagonistic, attitude toward the rights of older workers and the federal law that protects them,” Roybal said in a letter to the Judiciary Committee.

At issue is the EEOC’s failure under Thomas to process more than 13,000 age-discrimination complaints before the two-year statute of limitations expired, leaving the complainants without legal recourse.

Another major issue for senior citizens’ groups is the EEOC’s refusal in the mid-1980s to protect the pension rights of workers over 65 by requiring employers to keep making retirement contributions for them in line with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

The American Assn. of Retired Persons is expected to decide later this month whether to oppose Thomas’ elevation to the high court.