Statement On Moving The Nomination Of Justice Beth Robinson To The Second Circuit Court Of Appeals

. . . . Judiciary Committee Executive Business Meeting

I want to thank Chair Durbin for expeditiously moving the nomination of Justice Beth Robinson to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.  I know firsthand the amount of work that is involved in the nominations process and appreciate his leadership on the Committee this year.

Over the past few months I have received an outpouring of support from Vermonters across the political spectrum commending President Biden on Justice Robinson’s nomination and urging this Committee’s support.  Justice Robinson’s support includes elected officials from both sides of the aisle, the entire Vermont Supreme Court bench, former Vermont Supreme Court Justices, former U.S. Attorneys, and the Vermont Bar Association, just to name a few.  I know I speak for many Vermonters, Republicans and Democrats, when I say how proud we are that she will be representing our state on the Second Circuit.

Since graduating from the University of Chicago Law School, Justice Robinson has dedicated her legal career to pursuing liberty and justice for all.  She spent the beginning part of her legal career defending workers’ rights and advancing discrimination cases.  It was during that time that she successfully litigated the landmark decision of Baker v. Vermont, which led to Vermont becoming the first state to enact civil unions in the country.  Her tireless advocacy served as a blueprint for LGBTQ advocacy across the country.  It is no exaggeration to say that Justice Robinson changed the trajectory of LGBTQ rights in this country, and bent the arc of our nation’s history toward justice.  

In another display of the bipartisan support she has garnered over the years, she was unanimously confirmed by the Vermont Senate to serve as a Justice on the Vermont Supreme Court.  For the past decade, she has served on the Court honorably, and has participated in nearly 1,800 decisions.  Her tenure has been a display of fairness, impartiality, and commitment to the rule of law.  I have no doubt she will carry that approach to justice with her to the Second Circuit.

I know Justice Robinson will continue to make Vermont proud and will be an asset to the Second Circuit.  I am hopeful she will receive the bipartisan support she deserves today in Committee, and that we swiftly consider her nomination in the full Senate. 

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