Statement on Confirmation Hearings for the First Biden Judicial Nominations

April 28, 2021- The Committee for a Fair Judiciary (CFJ), applauds today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for President Biden’s nominations of Ketanji Brown Jackson, Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, Julien Xavier Neals, Zahid N. Quraishi, and Regina M. Rodriguez to serve on our nation’s federal courts. As was apparent during their hearing, these qualified and experienced nominees have a demonstrated record of service, are champions for equal justice, and reflect the diversity of the nation they seek to serve. We urge the Committee and the Senate to confirm these exemplary nominees without delay. 

This was the first confirmation hearing for President Biden’s judicial nominations. It was also the first step in the long road of turning the tide against Republicans’ success in filling federal judgeships across the Nation with right-wing extremists. By confirming more than 230 Trump judges to lifetime appointments on lower federal courts -- nearly one in four Article III judges, including one in three active circuit court judges -- Senate Republicans have ensured that for a generation there will be right-wing ideologues on the bench seeking to impose their beliefs and consolidate the power and policy preferences of the Republican party. 

The outstanding nominees that appeared before the Judiciary Committee today will begin to restore balance, excellence, and justice to the federal judiciary.  In particular, Judge Kentanji Brown Jackson and Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, two skilled and deeply experienced Black women, will add brilliance and needed diversity to their respective circuit courts of appeals. 

CFJ will be keeping track of how well the Biden-Harris Administration and the Senate are doing in filling critical vacancies with progressive, diverse nominees. With today’s hearing, Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-IL) and the Administration are off to a good start making the selection of federal judges the priority it must be. 

#####