This past weekend was full of violence, and a reminder that for many of us, the political stage is not all theatrics, and that our words matter. As America’s leaders struggle to combat a dangerous political culture, the sad reality is that more draconian attacks on our most fundamental rights are coming. From voting rights and abortion to affirmative action and climate justice, the Supreme Court is poised to continue to significantly turn back the clock on our liberties. The countdown to a critical midterm Election Day is on. Right-wing concepts and beliefs recently considered fringe now fuel ideology and wild propaganda spread at the highest thresholds of government, media, higher education, and especially our courts.

Alliance for Justice will continue to use our platform to call out these threats and ongoing attacks on our democracy. We are doing the work to ensure that President Biden and Senate Democrats are moving expeditiously to fill every judicial vacancy with judges committed to protecting equal justice and appreciate having you beside us in the fight.

The Good News: Nice and Steady

Chairman Durbin continues to set a steady pace for judicial nominations hearings. The next Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, which is set for May 25, 2022, will feature more nominees who will bring essential criminal defense and civil rights experience to the bench. They include:

Judge Sarah A.L. Merriam, nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, is a judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut and former federal defender and U.S. Magistrate Judge. Judge Merriam would bring critical criminal law experience to the Second Circuit.
Lara E. Montecalvo, nominated to the U.S Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, is the Public Defender of Rhode Island. She has dedicated her legal career to defending the most needy, having spent almost two decades in the Rhode Island Public Defender’s Office.
Tiffany Cartwright, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, is a civil rights attorney. A partner at the civil rights firm MacDonald Hoague & Bayless, Ms. Cartwright has litigated a wide range of cases involving police misconduct, First Amendment, wrongful conviction, and employment discrimination.

Pay Attention: Confirmation Votes

The deck is clearing. This week Leader Schumer diligently made time to move forward and confirm several more judicial nominees.

Cloture was filed on Judge Stephanie Dawkins Davis (6th Cir., Mich.), moving her closer to a final vote. Judge Davis would be the first Black woman from Michigan to serve on the Sixth Circuit.
Jennifer Rochon (S.D.N.Y.), Judge Sunshine Suzanne Sykes (C.D. Cal.), and Judge Trina Thompson (N.D. Cal.) were confirmed on Wednesday evening. Judge Trina Thompson has extensive experience as a criminal defender. Judge Sunshine Sykes, now California’s first Native American federal judge, worked in juvenile defense and Indian Law.

What’s Next?: Brace and Build

The coming months will be tough, but we are prepared and committed to the fight for the long haul! Filling every vacancy with credible, tested justices who are dedicated to the rights of all people in this country is the groundwork necessary for a drastically better future. AFJ is actively working to re-establish integrity in our courts by pressing Congress to pass a strong judicial ethics reform package. This is the vital work that is happening every day. Our resolve to protect our civil rights and liberties is unwavering. Thank you for joining us.

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