Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Latest Judiciary Committee Hearing On Six Judicial 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 Anthony J. Brindisi, nominated to be a United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York; Elizabeth C. Coombe, nominated to be a United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York; Sarah Morgan Davenport, nominated to be a United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico; Sharad Harshad Desai, nominated to be a United States District Judge for the District of Arizona; Tiffany Rene Johnson, nominated to be a United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia; and Keli Marie Neary, nominated to be a United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Durbin first introduced Anthony J. Brindisi, nominated to be a United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York.

“Born in New Hartford, New York, Judge Brindisi received his B.A. from Siena College and his J.D. from Albany Law School.  He then entered private practice in Utica.  From 2011 to 2019, Judge Brindisi served in the New York State Assembly, representing the Utica and Rome [region].  From 2019 to 2021, he served as a member of the House of Representatives, representing New York’s 22nd Congressional District,” Durbin said. “Since 2022, he served as a judge on the New York State Court of Claims in Utica.  And since 2024, he has also served as an Acting Supreme Court Justice in Oneida County.  I congratulate Judge Brindisi and his family on his nomination, and I look forward to hearing his testimony today.”

Durbin then introduced Elizabeth C. Coombe, nominated to be a United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York.

“Ms. Coombe received her A.B. from Hamilton [College] and her J.D. from the University of Michigan [Law School].  After clerking for Judge Diana Murphy on the District Court of Minnesota, Ms. Coombe began her career as a Staff Attorney at the Securities and Exchange Commission.  She then worked as a Trial Attorney in the Civil Division of the Justice Department and later as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia.  In 2003, Ms. Coombe joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.  Since 2018, she has served as the First Assistant United States Attorney.  I congratulate Ms. Coombe and her family on this nomination, and I look forward to hearing her testimony today,” Durbin said.

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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