05.22.24

Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Latest Judiciary Committee Hearing On Five Judicial Nominations

During his opening remarks, Durbin spoke about the Committee’s efforts to confirm 200 lifetime judges since President Biden took office

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nominations of Judge Michelle Court, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California; Judge Anne Hwang, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California; Judge Sarah Netburn, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York; Stacey Neumann, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine; and Judge Cynthia Valenzuela, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

After welcoming the nominees, Durbin highlighted the Senate Judiciary Committee’s efforts in confirming federal judges, culminating in the 200th confirmation since President Biden took office in 2021.

Key Quotes:

“Later this morning, the Senate is scheduled to confirm the 200th lifetime judge since President Biden took office.  I am proud of this accomplishment.  It took a lot of hard work by staff on both sides, as well as the members.”

“Today’s panel will continue our Committee’s track record of considering highly qualified, evenhanded, professionally diverse jurists to the federal bench for a lifetime appointment.”

“The nominees before us have experience on the state and federal bench.  They’ve been both prosecutors, public defenders, and civil rights advocates. Such a range of perspective is going to strengthen our courts.”

Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations.

Today’s hearing continues the Committee’s work filling judicial and executive vacancies with highly qualified, diverse candidates who help ensure the fair and impartial administration of the American justice system.  Under the leadership of Chair Durbin, the Senate has confirmed 199 judges to lifetime appointments on the federal bench during the Biden administration.  Twelve lifetime judges – including three circuit court nominees and nine district court nominees – are eligible for a vote on the Senate floor.

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