The Senate confirmed U.S. District Court nominee Cathy Ann Bencivengo

The Senate today confirmed the nomination of Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, based in San Diego. The 90-6
vote highlighted the needlessness of the obstruction that caused Bencivengo to wait 126 days for consideration by the Senate after her unanimous
approval by the Judiciary Committee.

Bencivengo will fill one of a dozen vacant federal court seats in California, and one of six that have been designated “judicial emergencies” by the
Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Bencivengo, who is currently a Magistrate Judge, received the highest rating from the American Bar
Association and a glowing recommendation from Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

“The Senate’s confirmation of Judge Bencivengo brings a talented jurist to the federal bench, and is a step toward relieving the enormous caseload
burden that has caused Southern Californians to face long delays as they seek their day in court,” said People For the American Way’s Marge Baker. “The
judicial crisis in California, unfortunately, is not unique. The Senate GOP should immediately allow votes on the other eighteen highly-qualified
nominees still on the calendar. Our Justice system is too important to be a pawn in partisan politics.”

Bencivengo’s confirmation leaves eighteen judicial nominees on the Senate’s calendar. The overwhelming majority have strong bipartisan support.
Thirteen are women or people of color.

President Obama’s district court nominees have waited an average of 90 days after committee approval for a vote from the full Senate, in contrast to a
mere 23 days for George W. Bush’s district court nominees at this point in his presidency.

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