Durbin Questions Latest Circuit & District Court Nominees Before Judiciary Committee

WASHINGTON – During today’s Judiciary Committee hearing, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Nancy Abudu, nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit; and Judge J. Michelle Childs, nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the D.C. Circuit.

“You are going to hear questions posed to you today on whether or not you can be objective, dispassionate, throw away the role of advocate and be a judge in one of the highest courts in our land… I want to give you this opportunity to explain your role as an advocate and your aspiration to be a judge,” Durbin asked Ms. Abudu.

Ms. Abudu replied that the role of a judge is to be fair, impartial, and make decisions that are clear and well-reasoned. If confirmed, she stated she would be that type of judge.

Durbin went on to ask Judge Childs about a multidistrict litigation case she has been presiding over involving almost 100 state tort and data privacy law claims.

“Can you give us an overview of the legal claims in that case and what issues you think Congress should consider,” said Durbin.

Judge Childs, the lead judge in the case, reiterated she will appropriately rule over such a large litigation case. In this case, In re Blackbaud, the plaintiffs have alleged that cybercriminals staged a ransomware attack on Blackbaud’s systems, holding the plaintiffs’ data for ransom.

Video of Durbin’s questions to Ms. Abudu and Judge Childs in Committee is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s questions to Ms. Abudu and Judge Childs in Committee is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s questions to Ms. Abudu and Judge Childs in Committee is available here for TV Stations. 

Durbin also questioned Nusrat Choudhury, nominated to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York; and Natasha Merle, nominated to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York. Durbin questioned Ms. Merle on her role in Buck vs. Davis.

Video of Durbin’s questions to Ms. Merle and Ms. Choudhury in Committee is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s questions to Ms. Merle and Ms. Choudhury in in Committee is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s questions to Ms. Merle and Ms. Choudhury in Committee is available here for TV Stations. 

-30-