Durbin Calls on his Senate Colleagues to Support Judicial Nominations of Candace Jackson-Akiwumi & Deborah Boardman

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called on his colleagues to support two judicial nominees who are being considered on the Senate floor this week: Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, nominated to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals; and Judge Deborah Boardman, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. 

“Ms. Candace Jackson-Akiwumi spent ten years as a federal public defender.  She defended hundreds of indigent clients at every stage of the legal process.  She is a real lawyer.  She knows that courtroom inside and out and she knows the legal process as well,” Durbin said.  “Ms. Jackson-Akiwumi’s experience will be an asset in the Seventh Circuit.”

Durbin continued, “[Boardman] spent 11 years as a federal public defender herself… She’s a dedicated public servant and I hope my colleagues will support her.”

Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations. 

Last month, Ms. Jackson-Akiwumi was advanced out of Committee by a vote of 12-10 with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) voting “aye” with all Committee Democrats.

Earlier this month, Judge Boardman advanced out of Committee with a bipartisan vote of 11-10, with every Committee Democrat voting “aye.”

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