OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016--Conference Report--

Floor Speech

Date: July 13, 2016
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Judicial Branch

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Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, I thank Senators Schumer, Warren, and others for their efforts to get some movement on these neglected judicial nominees. When we talk about the Senate doing its job, of course confirming judges is a part of the Senate's job. In fact, only the Senate can do that job.

So far 23 of the 24 nominees on the Executive Calendar were approved by the Judiciary Committee by voice vote, including 16 district court nominees. This includes Hawaii's own Clare Connors. Before I speak about Clare, I want to also mention that she and the other nominees before us today--who were unanimously approved by the Judiciary Committee--will be kept from serving on the Federal bench, kept from doing those jobs because of Republican inaction.

I will tell you something about Clare. She has wide-ranging experience, including district and appellate venues, criminal and civil arenas, and litigation on issues ranging from tax law to tough cases such as crimes against children.

I met with Clare in Hawaii and when she came before the Judiciary Committee. She is more than qualified to serve on the Federal bench today. Senator Grassley has indicated that Republicans will shut down the nomination process this month, even though vacancies have nearly doubled.

If Clare is not confirmed, the Hawaii district court seat would be left vacant for a year. Historically, the Senate has held confirmation votes on widely supported nominees into September of a Presidential election year.

The nominees before us all have bipartisan support and come from States throughout the country: Tennessee, New Jersey, New York, California, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Utah, and of course Hawaii.

I urge my Republican colleagues to do their job.

359, 362, 363, 364, 459, 460, 461, and 508; further, that the Senate proceed to vote without intervening action or debate on the nominations in the order listed; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to the nominations; that any related statements be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then resume legislative session.

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