Judiciary Democrats: Allow ABA to Review Potential Judges Before Hearings

Statement

Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats today released the following statement in response to the majority's decision to hold a nomination hearing for two district court nominees before the American Bar Association has an opportunity to review and rate them:

"We're disappointed that the Senate Judiciary Committee plans to hold a nomination hearing for two district court nominees before the American Bar Association will be able to complete their independent nonpartisan evaluations.

"The hearing will be just 21 days after the nominees were announced and 16 days after the committee received their questionnaires. The ABA is typically able to complete ratings within five weeks, but three weeks is not enough time.

"The Senate Judiciary Committee has an obligation to thoroughly vet nominees for these lifetime judicial appointments. Reviewing potential judges and ensuring they are qualified is one of our most important responsibilities. A nominee's ABA rating is an important part of that process.

"Senators deserve the opportunity to take ABA evaluations into account as they review nominees, and the committee shouldn't hold hearings until the ABA has an opportunity to provide those ratings."