Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Judiciary Committee Hearing on Five District Court 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 Judge Mustafa Kasubhai, to be United States District Judge for the District of Oregon; Judge John Kazen, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas; Judge Shanlyn Park, to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii; Jamel Semper, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; and Micah Smith, to be United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii.

The hearing continues the Committee’s work filling judicial vacancies with highly qualified, diverse candidates who help ensure the fair and impartial administration of the American justice system.  Under the leadership of Chair Durbin, the Senate has confirmed 143 judges to lifetime appointments on the federal bench during the Biden administration.

Key Quotes:

“I would like to take a moment to first acknowledge that this is our first full Committee hearing since the passing of our friend and colleague, Senator Dianne Feinstein, a treasured leader of the Senate and this Committee.”

“It is a bit unreal to begin these proceedings and know that our dear friend will not be joining us on the dais.  Dianne conducted herself with steely determination, grace, and dignity in all of her work before this body, and I hope we will all try to honor her by measuring up to that high standard.”

“Today, we will hear from five judicial nominees… Before I turn to Ranking Member Graham, I want to note that each of today’s nominees has received blue slips from both of their home state Senators.”

“This includes Judge Kazen, who has received blue slips from Senators Cornyn and Cruz.  Both Senators previously worked with the White House on the nomination of Judge Irma Ramirez to the Fifth Circuit, and I thank them and the White House for continuing to work in good faith to fill judicial vacancies on Texas’s district courts.  I look forward to similar progress in other states.”

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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