Durbin Questions Judicial Nominees In Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

Statement

During today's Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Rachel Bloomekatz, nominee to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit, and Florence Y. Pan, nominee to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. Durbin centered his questions on Bloomekatz's and Pan's support from conservative organizations and leaders as a nominee chosen by the Biden Administration.

"Ms. Bloomekatz, I sit here in surprise as Senator Sherrod Brown announced that you had received a letter of support from [several individuals affiliated with] the Federalist Society. It is rare to have that accolade handed down…to a nominee by the Biden Administration... To what do you attribute your bipartisan support?" Durbin asked Bloomekatz.

In her response, Bloomekatz discussed the community surrounding her as an appellate practitioner in Ohio, which emphasizes congeniality and cooperation with her colleagues regardless of their political or professional backgrounds. Bloomekatz noted that, if confirmed, she intends to build a similar rapport with her colleagues on the Sixth Circuit.

Durbin went on to ask Judge Pan, "I'd like to focus on one other aspect of your background that you made reference to -- that was your immigration experience, first-generation American. What does this nomination mean to you in that context?"

Judge Pan spoke about her pride in her Asian heritage and shared her admiration for her parents' work ethic and dedication to her education.

Source