Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Hearing On District Court And Assistant Attorney General Nominations

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 Jonathan James Canada Grey, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan; Julia E. Kobick, to be United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; Rita F. Lin, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; Ramon Ernesto Reyes, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York; James Edward Simmons, Jr., to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California; and Amy Lefkowitz Solomon, to be an Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs.

Key quotes: 

“These five nominees represent the continued commitment of the President and Senate Democrats to identifying and nominating highly qualified candidates who will be ready on day one to hear cases, preside over trials, and promote the administration of justice.  Four of the five judicial nominees on today’s hearing are sitting judges—two serve on state trial courts and two serve as federal magistrate judges.  All five of the nominees currently litigate or have litigated on behalf of state or federal governmental entities.  And four of the five are prosecutors.  In short, they have already demonstrated both their abilities and their commitment to the rule of law.”

“It’s my pleasure to introduce Amy Solomon, nominated to lead the Office of Justice Programs at the Department of Justice… Under the previous Administration, the former President never even bothered to put forward a nominee to lead OJP, which plays a critical role in funding the police.  Ms. Solomon’s knowledge of OJP—and her work there—is second to none.”

“She has served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for OJP. And before that, she spent seven years in this office in both career and political roles. In addition to her work at the Justice Department, Ms. Solomon has served in key research and policy roles at nonprofits and foundations, including the Urban Institute. Throughout her career, Ms. Solomon has sought to advance evidence-based, commonsense, bipartisan solutions to fighting crime.” 

“From literally funding the police to building networks with law enforcement partners and victims’ rights groups, Ms. Solomon’s career—and her priorities—highlight why she is the right nominee. And it’s no surprise that she enjoys support from the across the political and ideological spectrum.”

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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