Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Latest Nominations Hearing

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 Maria Araújo Kahn, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit; Julie Rikelman, to be the U.S. Circuit Judge for the First Circuit; Margaret R. Guzman, to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; Araceli Martínez-Olguín, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of California; Jamar K. Walker, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Jamal N. Whitehead, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Washington. 

Key quotes:

“This is an outstanding group of nominees—all highly qualified and representing the demographic and professional diversity which has become a hallmark of this Administration’s nominees.”

“I would like to raise a frequent criticism. Members often ask [nominees] about what they personally believe… It puts a judicial nominee on the spot. The Judicial Conference of the United States has directed both sitting judges and judicial nominees not to share their personal opinions. The rationale is obvious. Offering personal opinions suggests a nominee has prejudged an issue. It suggests to future litigants that the nominee will arrive with preconceptions and will disregard their obligation to simply apply the law to the facts.”

“Also, while many of my colleagues on the other side of the table now suggest they are concerned by a nominee’s refusal to offer personal opinions, there were no such concerns with Trump nominees.”

“Point of personal privilege to note that both of our nominees [Ms. Kahn and Ms. Rikelman] are immigrants to this country. I point that out, not because it is the exception, but the achievements of the immigrant population in America have made us what we are today.”

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.

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