Senate Judiciary Committee Advances More Judicial Nominees To Senate Queue

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 4, 2022 – This morning the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced six more lower court nominees toward their final confirmation votes. Two of the nominees advanced today had previously had their votes delayed twice for attendance reasons. Alliance for Justice applauds all of these nominees advancing out of committee.  

One of the nominees advanced today was Rachel S. Bloomekatz, nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Bloomekatz brings extensive experience in labor and economic justice law, advocating for workers and consumers, as well as handling cases defending voting rights, gun safety, and the environment. As part of her pro bono practice, she also represented indigent women and children seeking asylum. She previously clerked for Associate Justice Stephen Breyer and has taught courses as an Adjunct Professor at the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. 

Judge Doris L. Pryor, nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, has served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Indiana since 2018. She is a former prosecutor who also brings experience as a public defender. If confirmed, she will be Indiana’s first judge of color to serve on the Seventh Circuit and only the second currently serving on that circuit. 

A standout among the nominees to the District Court for the District of Puerto Rico is Gina R. Méndez-Miró, who currently sits on the Puerto Rico Court of Appeals. She has 16 years of experience in public service and would be the first openly LGBTQ+ individual to serve on that district court. 

Alliance for Justice President Rakim H.D. Brooks issued the following statement: 

“The importance of quickly confirming these judges to the bench cannot be overstated. We know that nominees like Rachel Bloomekatz will advance the promise of equal justice given their incredible experience serving those with limited resources and minimal access to quality representation.    

“The way some of these nominees were delayed by attendance issues speaks to how fragile Senate Democrats’ majority currently is and a reminder of how important it is to advance these nominees when we can. It is imperative that Congress fills every federal judicial vacancy by the end of this year. There is still a long way to go and absolutely no time to waste.”