Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Hearing On District Court And Director Of Violence Against Women Office 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 Gordon P. Gallagher, to be United States District Judge for the District of Colorado; P. Casey Pitts, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California; Andrew G. Schopler, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California; Arun Subramanian, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York; and Rosemarie Hidalgo, to be Director of the Violence Against Women Office. 

Key quotes: 

“I have the privilege of introducing Rosie Hidalgo, nominated to head [the Office on Violence Against Women] OVW.  OVW is a critically important component within the Department of Justice… As a veteran of OVW and someone who has spent much of her career working to protect and advocate for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, Ms. Hidalgo will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role of OVW Director.” 

“From 2014 to 2017, Ms. Hidalgo served as the Deputy Director for Policy at OVW, where she helped implement grant programs under the Violence Against Women Act.”

“She is a dedicated public servant and a proven coalition-builder. She understands what it takes to lead. And she understands what’s at stake. That’s one of many reasons that Ms. Hidalgo’s nomination has such broad support, including from national organizations like the YWCA, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, and the Interfaith Coalition against Domestic and Sexual Violence.” 

“I am pleased that the President has nominated Ms. Hidalgo to head this important agency, which has not had a Senate-confirmed director since 2012.  And I am confident she is up to the task.”

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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