Senate Confirms Biden's First Judicial Nominees
After four years of Trump's conservative drumbeat, Biden's first two judicial confirmations signal a new direction
While it was his appointments of a full third of the Supreme Court which captured headlines, Donald Trump's presidency methodically remade the full breadth of the federal judiciary.
While then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stubbornly refused to bring up a single piece of legislation from the Democratic House, McConnell nonetheless kept the Senate humming.
The Kentucky Republican turned the upper chamber of Congress into a well-oiled confirmation assembly line for the conservative judges Trump sent to the Senate for various lifetime appointments on the federal bench.
In all, the Trump-McConnell collaboration seated a stunning 234 jurists to federal judgeships, including 54 judges for the United States courts of appeals, 174 judges for the United States district courts.
It was a sweeping accomplishment for just a single four-year presidential term.
However, now it's Joe Biden's turn — with the Senate approving the president's first judicial two nominees, and both with substantial bipartisan majorities.
The nominees were Julien Xavier Neals, to be US District Judge for the District of New Jersey; and Regina Rodriguez, to be US District Judge for the District of Colorado. Neals was confirmed by a bipartisan vote of 66-33, while Rodriguez was confirmed by a bipartisan vote of 72-28.
Biden both praised Neals and Rodriguez, while promising much more to come.
“They are both highly qualified, and they represent the diversity that is one of the ultimate strengths of our nation—in all branches of government, including the judiciary,” the president said in a White House statement. “Other nominees are awaiting confirmation who also have bipartisan support, and I hope they will be rapidly confirmed as well.
“I am also thankful that we are on track to have confirmed the most judges by July of the first year of a President’s first term in over 50 years,” Biden added. “I look forward to continuing to make nominations at an historic pace and working closely with the Senate on many more confirmations.”
Democrats also celebrated in the Senate.
“Julien Neals and Regina Rodriguez show the Biden Administration’s dedication to appointing judges with outstanding credentials and a wealth of experience," Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill) said in a statement. “By confirming judges who reflect the experiences of all Americans, we can continue building a justice system that is grounded in the real world.
“Today’s confirmations are just the beginning. The Judiciary Committee and the Biden Administration will continue taking steps to orient the courts back towards fair mindedness and competence,” Durbin added.
The new judges also won plaudits from their home-state senators.
“Mr. Neals is an outstanding nominee who has devoted his entire career to the practice of law in his home state of New Jersey. Throughout his three decades in the legal profession, he served in many diverse roles. Every step of the way, he has impressed those around him with his integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to equal justice and fair administration of the law,” said Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) during a speech Monday on the Senate floor in which he called on the Senate to confirm Neals. “There is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Neals will be an asset to the U.S. District Court in New Jersey as it emerges from this pandemic and works to reduce its backlog of pending cases.
"He was qualified to serve on the federal bench back in 2015, when President Obama first nominated him to the U.S. District Court in New Jersey. And he is even more qualified today,” Menendez added.
Meanwhile, Regina Rodriguez made history in Colorado.
History in Colorado
“Throughout her distinguished career, Regina Rodriguez has demonstrated a deep commitment to service, justice, and the rule of law. Her overwhelmingly bipartisan confirmation signifies that she will make an exceptional judge,” said Sen Michael Bennet (D-Colo). “Today, Regina made history as the first Asian-American to serve on the U.S. District Court in Colorado. Her seat on the court will make it more reflective of and responsive to the people it serves, and I have no doubt that Regina will serve the people of Colorado with integrity.”
Bennet and Sen John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) recommended Rodriguez for the U.S. District Court seat in February. In addition to her legal background, Rodriguez was a founding member of Latinas First Foundation, served on the Board of Directors for the Family Star Montessori, and was a Founding Board Member of Colorado Youth at Risk.
Rodriguez is the daughter of a Mexican American father and a Japanese American mother. Rodriguez’s historic confirmation makes her the first federal district court judge in the District of Colorado of Asian-American descent.