WASHINGTON – Early this morning, the Senate confirmed Nina Pillard to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Pillard is one of three nominees to the court whom Republicans had been blocking from yes-or-no votes , leading the Senate to change the rules of the filibuster.

Yesterday, the Senate confirmed Pillard’s fellow nominee Patricia Millett. A third D.C. Circuit nominee, Robert Wilkins, is still awaiting a confirmation vote.

“Nina Pillard is a remarkable nominee and will be a tremendous asset to the D.C. Circuit,” said Marge Baker, executive vice president of People For the American Way. “She has an outstanding record of public service, including her work to win critical Supreme Court victories opening the Virginia Military Institute to women and upholding the Family and Medical Leave Act. Her current role as the head of Georgetown’s respected and nonpartisan Supreme Court Institute illustrates both her strong intellect and her fair-minded commitment to the law.

“All three nominees are extraordinarily qualified and will make excellent additions to the court. It is great news that the Senate is finally confirming these nominees, allowing both the D.C. Circuit and Congress to get down to doing the work of the American people.”

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