Washington, D.C. — Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the nominations of President Joe Biden’s first slate of judicial nominees, which included two Black women with experience in public defense, for seats on federal appeals courts. In response, Maggie Jo Buchanan, director of Legal Progress at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
Today’s vote underscores the full commitment of Senate leadership and President Biden to judicial diversity. For too long, those deemed “qualified” for a federal judicial post were overwhelmingly white and male, with careers spent at large, corporate law firms. But the nation’s elite lawyers are not limited to individuals representing the wealthy and powerful. Lawyers committed to public defense, legal aid, and civil rights work are a critical part of our democracy. Their valuable perspectives should be welcomed on the bench by anyone who believes in a fair system of law.
For more information on this topic or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected].