Washington, D.C., January 18, 2017 – Following today’s “monster markup” in the Senate Judiciary Committee, in which 17 judicial nominees were voted out of committee in a single session, Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron released the following statement:
“Today we saw just how different the environment on the Judiciary Committee is going to be this year. Even as GOP members continue their efforts to rubber-stamp Trump’s nominees, Democrats – including the newest members, Sens. Booker and Harris – are bringing their A game, asking the tough questions and raising the serious issues about these nominees’ troubling records. It’s a real sign that new membership and the frustration of last year’s confirmation process have brought a new day. And clearly, the records of many of these nominees are deeply troubling, including those of Kyle Duncan, David Stras, Matthew Kacsmaryk, Mark Norris and Thomas Farr. Serious unanswered questions remain about Farr’s possible participation in a racist voter-suppression scheme, and that point was raised very emphatically today by Sens. Booker and Harris. Disturbingly, a written request by Sens. Booker and Harris to have the opportunity to question Farr in person was rejected outright by Chairman Grassley; we believe that he should show these new members greater respect in the future, and we feel certain they will demand it.”