07.22.21

Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Latest Slate Of Judicial & Executive Nominations

WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the nominations of Gustavo A. Gelpi, to be United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit; Angel Kelley, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; Christine P. O’Hearn, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; Helaine Ann Greenfeld, to be an Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs; and Christopher H. Schroeder, to be an Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel.  Ahead of the votes, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, urged his colleagues to support all five nominees. 

Key Durbin quotes:

“First is Judge Gustavo Gelpi, [who is] nominated to serve on the First Circuit.  He served on the bench for 20 years, [first as] a magistrate judge and then as a District Court Judge for the District Court of Puerto Rico.  During that time, he has presided over an amazing 3,400 cases, including 62 jury trials, and issued almost 900 written opinions.”

“His [Judge Gelpi’s] nomination is an example of what I believe President Biden [is doing in] choosing exceptionally-qualified attorneys who bring diversity to the bench.  As I mentioned earlier, Judge Gelpi served as both a prosecutor and federal public defender.  He will be the second judge of Hispanic origin and second judge from Puerto Rico to serve on the First Circuit, if confirmed.”

“As a graduate of Georgetown Law, she [Judge Kelley] has the credentials, experience, and temperament to serve on the District Court… Since taking the bench, Judge Kelley has handled civil and criminal cases and presided over more than 100 trials.  In each of those, she has been found to be evenhanded and impartial.”

“Christine O’Hearn, [who has been] nominated to be a district court judge for the District of New Jersey.  [She was] a litigator for 28 years and has extensive courtroom experience.  [She has over] 150 first chair trial days.”

“Helaine Greenfeld… nominated to serve as the Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs at the Justice Department… She served for many years as Judiciary Committee staffer.  She served with distinction, a bipartisan spirit, and a good sense of humor.”

“[Mr. Schroeder] is exceptionally well-qualified—[an] academic and policy expert who has previously served as Counselor to the Assistant Attorney General and as Deputy Assistant Attorney General at OLC.  This experience has given him an understanding of OLC’s mission—to offer principled legal advice to the Executive Branch.”

Video of Durbin’s statement is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s statement is available here.

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

Gustavo A. Gelpi, nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit, advanced out of Committee with a bipartisan vote of 12-10.

Angel Kelley, nominated to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts, advanced out of Committee with a bipartisan vote of 15-7.

Christine P. O’Hearn, nominated to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey, advanced out of Committee with a bipartisan vote of 12-10.

Helaine Ann Greenfeld, nominated to be an Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, advanced out of Committee by voice vote.

Christopher H. Schroeder, nominated to be an Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel, advanced out of Committee with a bipartisan vote of 13-9.

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