Durbin Introduces Solicitor General, ONDCP, and Judicial Nominees at Senate Judiciary Committee Confirmation Hearing
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered his opening statement during the nomination hearing for Elizabeth Prelogar to be Solicitor General of the United States; Justice Beth Robinson to be a judge on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals; Jennifer Sung to be a judge on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; and Dr. Rahul Gupta to be Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Durbin said that the nominees are highly qualified and bring important professional and demographic diversity to their positions.
Key quotes:
“I would like to note several historic firsts among today’s nominees. Upon confirmation, Justice Robinson will be the first openly LGBTQ woman on an appellate court. Ms. Sung will be the first Asian-American woman to occupy one of Oregon’s Ninth Circuit seats. And Dr. Gupta will be the first medical doctor to head ONDCP.”
“Elizabeth Prelogar is, without doubt, one of the most accomplished appellate litigators to have been nominated to serve as Solicitor General. Having argued nine cases before the Supreme Court—and having submitted cert petitions, merits briefs, and amicus briefs in hundreds of additional cases—she is an outstanding choice for a position frequently referred to as the ‘Tenth Justice.’”
“First, having served under both Democratic and Republican administrations—in both career and political roles—Ms. Prelogar not only has an unwavering commitment to providing unbiased legal advice, but understands the critical role that career attorneys play within the Department. Second, having served in the Justice Department during the Trump Administration, she has demonstrated her ability to advance legal arguments irrespective of her own personal or political beliefs. Given her experience and her reputation as a principled, outstanding advocate, it’s little surprise that Ms. Prelogar has broad, bipartisan support.”
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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