Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Judiciary Committee Hearing on Three Judicial Nominations

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nominations of Sara E. Hill, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma; John David Russell, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma; and Ramona Villagomez Manglona, to be Judge for the District Court of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Key Quotes:

“Today, we will hear from three judicial nominees: Sara Hill, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma; John Russell, also nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma; and Judge Ramona Manglona, nominated to serve a second ten-year term on the U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands.  Congratulations to the nominees and their families.”

“Before I turn to Ranking Member Graham, I want to note that Ms. Hill and Mr. Russell each have received blue slips from both Republican home-state Senators—Senator Lankford, who is with us today, and Senator Mullin.” 

“I thank these Senators for working with the White House in good faith to fill these vacancies.  And thank all the other members on the Republican side who are doing the same.  We are seeing similar progress in many states, and it is encouraging.”

Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations.

Today’s hearing continues the Committee’s work filling judicial and executive vacancies with highly qualified, diverse candidates who help ensure the fair and impartial administration of the American justice system.  Under the leadership of Chair Durbin, the Senate has confirmed 154 judges to lifetime appointments on the federal bench during the Biden administration.  Nineteen lifetime judges – including three circuit court nominees and fourteen district court nominees – are eligible for a vote on the Senate floor.

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