Washington, D.C. – Following the advancement and confirmation of more federal judicial nominees this week, People For the American Way President Ben Jealous released the following statement:

“With so many global and national events demanding our attention, it’s important to pause to note a real success story that is unfolding with less fanfare, but one that has enormous significance: the confirmations of brilliant and diverse federal judges. As of this week, the Biden administration and Senate have confirmed 68 lifetime federal judges. That is the highest number at this point in a presidency since the Kennedy administration. This week’s confirmations include Nina Morrison for the Eastern District of New York, who spent nearly 20 years as a lawyer working to free innocent people in her tenure at the Innocence Project. Meanwhile at the circuit level, the confirmation process advanced for John Lee, who will be the first Asian American judge on the Seventh Circuit, and Salvador Mendoza, who will be the first Latino judge from Washington on the Ninth Circuit. Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Durbin have our gratitude for their outstanding work in elevating such outstanding candidates to the federal bench.”

About People For the American Way  
People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org