Last Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee kicked off its next round of nomination hearings. Among the nominees before the Committee were Seth Aframe (1st Cir.), Sarah Russell (D. Conn.), and Edward Kiel (D.N.J.). We are particularly excited to see Sarah Russell’s nomination move ahead!
Russell, Director of the Civil Justice Clinic at Quinnipiac University School of Law, has experience as a public defender and as a clerk for Chief Judge Michael B. Mukasey in the Southern District of New York and for Judge Chester J. Straub on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
In other news, the Senate Judiciary Committee has adopted a “no more tricks” policy in their pursuit of ensuring the Supreme Court's ethical standards are upheld. The committee announced its plans to subpoena Republican donors Harlan Crow and Robin Arkley II as well as conservative courts consigliere Leonard Leo. The targets of the subpoenas, as well as the justices themselves, have refused to cooperate in an ethics investigation, forcing the committee’s hand. All three are implicated in far-right justices’ undisclosed acceptance of gifts and travel from billionaire mega-donors.
“By accepting these lavish, undisclosed gifts, the justices have enabled their wealthy benefactors and other individuals with business before the Court to gain private access to the justices while preventing public scrutiny of this conduct,” SJC Chair Dick Durbin and member Sheldon Whitehouse stated in a joint release. TLDR: Time’s up for Clarence and Sam.
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Last week in the Senate Judiciary Committee’s executive business meeting, the Committee welcomed Senator Laphonza Butler, whose energy and experience make her an exciting addition. Senators have also made progress on confirmation votes, nominations hearings, and markups. Judge John Kazen (S.D. Tex.), Judge Shanlyn Park (D. Haw.), Jamel Semper (D.N.J.) and Micah Smith (D. Haw.) were all voted out of committee and are awaiting a vote before the full Senate.
We are particularly excited to see Judge Shanlyn Park’s nomination proceed with speed. Park proved her commitment to equal justice over two decades as a public defender giving voice to those most in need and as a judge on the First Circuit Court on Oahu. When confirmed, she will be the first Native Hawaiian woman to serve on the federal bench.
In other news, a treat: Judge Matthew Maddox was confirmed to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland at last on Halloween! A native Marylander, Judge Maddox has significant experience in both criminal and civil law matters—and a proven dedication to achieving justice for all under the law. |
Alliance for Justice continues to track the Supreme Court as it hears cases on pivotal civil rights, voting rights, and health and disability rights issues.
On November 7, the Supreme Court will hear a challenge to the constitutionality of a federal ban on the possession of guns by individuals who are subject to domestic violence restraining orders. In United States v. Rahimi, Mr. Rahimi was sent to jail for possessing a gun while subject to a domestic violence restraining order. He argues that since there were no domestic violence restrictions on gun ownership during the Founders’ era, any restriction now is unconstitutional. If the Supreme Court rules in his favor, it could have far-reaching consequences, potentially further weakening gun control measures in the United States.
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Last week, Alliance for Justice held our annual Tip the Scales reception at the Pendry in Washington, D.C, facilitated by Alliance for Justice’s very own Amy Ciciora and Anne Snouck-Hurgronje! This event was a wonderful celebration of our collective work to advance our vision of a progressive, multiracial democracy through efforts to ensure our courts are populated by fair-minded, representative jurists.
We were thrilled to present the inaugural Robert Pennoyer Justice Award to featured speaker Wendy Davis, former Texas state senator, Senior Advisor to Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, and champion of reproductive justice and freedom. Along with Senator Davis, we honored two AFJ member organizations - Earthjustice and Gender Justice - with Ally for Justice Awards. |
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