Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Bob Menendez
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) spoke on the Senate floor today in support of Michael Farbiarz and Robert Kirsch, two nominees for U.S. District Court of New Jersey that are scheduled to be voted on by the U.S. Senate.
With the confirmation of Farbariz and Kirsch, Sens. Menendez and Booker will finally be putting an end to New Jersey’s judicial emergency. Last year, the Senate confirmed Evelyn Padin, Georgette Castner and Christine P. O’Hearn to the U.S. District Court of New Jersey. In 2021, the Senate confirmed the appointments of JudgesZahid Quraishi, Julien X. Neals and Karen M. Williams.
Below are Sen. Menendez’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
M. President, I come to the floor today in support of two remarkable, dedicated, and exceptionally-qualified nominees to serve on the U.S. District Court of New Jersey: Mr. Michael Farbiarz and Mr. Robert Kirsch.
Both nominees represent the best that our state has to offer, both have served with distinction in a variety of roles, and both deserve to be swiftly confirmed to the district court.
Consider, M. President, the distinguished public service career of Mr. Farbiarz. A resident of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, he has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, as co-chief of the Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit, and as General Counsel of the New Jersey’s Port Authority.
His relentless work ethic in every role has made him a shining star in New Jersey’s legal community a reputation that’s not given, but earned.
Whether serving in leadership roles, enforcing our laws as a federal prosecutor, or providing legal counsel to those who serve on the Port Authority commission, his breadth — and depth — of legal experience prepare him well to continue his service to the Garden State as a fair and effective federal judge.
Like Mr. Farbiarz, Robert Kirsch is a dedicated public servant who has capably served on the Superior Court of New Jersey for over a decade.
A native of South Orange, New Jersey, he was sponsored for his position by then-state senator Tom Kean Jr. — a Republican — and was appointed by Governor Corzine, a Democrat.
Throughout his tenure, Judge Kirsch has consistently earned bipartisan support in his long and impressive career in public service.
He holds a wealth of experience as both a jurist and a former federal prosecutor and while presiding over a busy docket of criminal cases, Judge Kirsch has consistently chosen to do what is right, not what comes easy.
Outside of the courtroom, Robert Kirsch is a devoted advocate for public safety and the well-being of his community.
In particular, his has led a passionate effort to improve New Jersey’s juvenile justice system — earning him numerous awards and widespread recognition.
This commitment to fairness and impartiality — values he has demonstrated throughout his career — will surely be an asset while serving on the federal bench.
M_. President, I submit to my colleagues that Mr. Farbiarz and Judge Kirsch are two phenomenal nominees to fill New Jersey’s final judicial vacancies.
They earned “well-qualified” ratings from the American Bar Association and have letters of support from both the New Jersey State Bar Association AND the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey.
In short, they are the final pieces of the puzzle as I — alongside Senator Booker and the Biden Administration — have worked to fill not one, not two, but eight vacancies on the District Court of New Jersey.
At the beginning of last Congress, the number of vacancies was so dire that it was deemed a “judicial emergency.”
In one of the busiest courts in America, work ground to a halt as a result — creating a backlog that delayed justice for victims of crime and plaintiffs in court.
We had our work cut out for us but by putting our heads down and our noses to the grindstone, Senator Booker and I can now proudly say that we have shepherded 8 well-qualified nominees through the processes.
All that remains is for this body — for our colleagues — to join us in confirming these final two nominees to their roles.
Today is a great day for the state of New Jersey — and for our country — as we vote to elevate Michael Farbiarz and Robert Kirsch to the federal bench.
I thank them both for their dedicated service and I thank my colleagues for their dutiful consideration. Thank you and I yield the floor.