Durbin Questions Judge Nathan, Nominated To Second Circuit, In Judiciary Committee Hearing
Durbin also questions five nominees for district court vacancies
WASHINGTON – During today’s Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, asked Alison J. Nathan, nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit, about her experience clerking for the late Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens and what she learned from him.
“You spoke at his memorial service and made a statement about what he meant to you and what he represented in terms of the image of a Judge. Would you recount that to the Committee?” Durbin asked.
Judge Nathan said that Justice John Paul Stevens brought intelligence, integrity, impartiality, and an open mind to every case before him. Judge Nathan noted that she has tried to embody those characteristics throughout her career.
Durbin went on to ask Judge Nathan about her critics calling her an “activist” and having an “activist viewpoint.” Judge Nathan responded by stating that she has been a judge for ten years, has presided over more than 3,000 cases, and has written more than 1,500 opinions—and that she hopes that her record will speak for itself.
During today’s hearing, Durbin also questioned the five district court nominees regarding their thoughts on judicial temperament. Those nominees include: Georgette Castner, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; Ruth Bermudez Montenegro, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California; Julie Rebecca Rubin, to be United States District Judge for the District of Maryland; Cristina D. Silva, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada; and Anne Rachel Traum, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nevada.
Finally, Durbin asked Judge Silva to describe the work she did as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Nevada, when she helped lead the office’s investigation of the horrific October 1, 2017, mass shooting in Las Vegas, which took the lives of 60 victims.
“Can you tell us in your own words what that investigation taught you?” Durbin asked.
Judge Silva said that investigation taught her how important it was for federal, state, and local law enforcement to work together and use all resources to address the crisis the city was facing.
Video of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here for TV Stations.
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