Klobuchar Statement on Removal of Statue of Roger B. Taney

Press Release

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the statement below following the removal of the statue of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, the author of the infamous Dred Scott v. Sanford decision, from the U.S. Capitol. Klobuchar championed legislation, which passed both chambers of Congress last December, to replace Taney's statue with a statue honoring former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to serve on the nation's highest court. The statue of Marshall will be placed in a prominent location near the old Supreme Court Chamber in the U.S. Capitol.

"The Capitol is the most recognizable symbol of democracy, a place where all Americans have their voices represented and heard. We must ensure that its art reflects the values on which our country stands," said Klobuchar. "It's only fitting that we replace a statue of the man who wrote the infamous Dred Scott v. Sanford decision with a statue of Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American to serve on our nation's highest court. By installing a statue of this trailblazing Justice in the Capitol, we are ensuring that Justice Marshall's legacy of advancing justice and equality will be commemorated in the heart of our democracy."

Klobuchar introduced this legislation with Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Cory Booker (D-NJ). Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD) led the legislation in the House.

As Chairwoman of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee with oversight over the U.S. Capitol complex, Klobuchar has long worked to make the Capitol more representative of our nation's diversity. Last April, her bipartisan, bicameral legislation to honor Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O'Connor with statues in the U.S. Capitol complex was signed into law.

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