Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
WASHINGTON – During today’s Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, asked Judge Gabriel Sanchez, nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit, to describe his approach to judicial decision-making and how he will continue to be impartial and rule evenhandedly in all cases that come before him.
“When cases come before you… what standard will you use?” Durbin asked.
Judge Sanchez explained that he understands that being a judge “requires being fair and neutral and applying the law fairly to all the parties that come before me.” He also noted, “our system of justice requires a fair and impartial judiciary.”
Durbin also noted that the second panel of five district court nominees have all received the rating of “Well Qualified” by the American Bar Association. These nominees include Samantha D. Elliott, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Hampshire; Linda Lopez, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California; Katherine Marie Menendez, to be United States District Judge for the District of Minnesota; Jinsook Ohta, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of California; and David Herrera Urias, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico.
“Each one of these nominees has been rated ‘Well Qualified’ by the American Bar Association. Congratulations. That speaks to your competence and honesty… and that isn’t always the case with nominees before this Committee in previous years. But Senators have worked with President Biden to make certain that each nominee that has come through here this year has reached this standard. So my congratulations to you,” Durbin said.
Video of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here for TV Stations.
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