[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 79 (Tuesday, May 15, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2657-S2658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          Judicial Nominations

  Madam President, on another matter, yesterday, the Senate voted to

[[Page S2658]]

confirm two more of President Trump's fine circuit court nominees, 
Michael Scudder and Amy St. Eve--both of Illinois, both exceedingly 
qualified, and both carrying the bipartisan support of the Judiciary 
Committee.
  Michael Scudder carries an impressive legal record, with extensive 
experience in both private practice and public service, and the 
American Bar Association's highest rating. Judge Amy St. Eve shares the 
ABA's unqualified confidence. She has compiled a 17-year record in the 
Northern District of Illinois. That is why the Senate confirmed these 
highly qualified nominees to serve on the Seventh Circuit Court of 
Appeals with a bipartisan majority.
  Today, our progress will continue. We will vote to confirm John 
Nalbandian, of Kentucky, to serve on the Sixth Circuit and Joel Carson, 
of New Mexico, to serve on the Tenth Circuit.
  Judge Carson has had a distinguished tenure as a U.S. magistrate 
judge. His peers say his ``integrity, fairness, and respect for the 
dignity of others are top notch.'' A bipartisan group of New Mexico 
lawyers has expressed confidence ``he will be an excellent addition to 
the Tenth Circuit.'' The Judiciary Committee agreed and reported Judge 
Carson's nomination to the full Senate in a bipartisan fashion.
  We will also vote on John Nalbandian, who is from my home State of 
Kentucky, who has been nominated to serve on the Sixth Circuit. Mr. 
Nalbandian has earned respect from across the political spectrum as a 
top appellate advocate. He is known for his fairness, collegiality, and 
legal ability. In 2007, Mr. Nalbandian was appointed to be a special 
justice on the Kentucky Supreme Court. He later sat on the selection 
panel for magistrate judges in the State's Eastern District. More 
recently, President Obama nominated him to serve on the board of the 
State Justice Institute. He was confirmed by a voice vote.
  In addition to well-regarded work in private practice, Mr. Nalbandian 
has also dedicated himself to community causes, such as economic 
development in Northern Kentucky and greater local representation for 
minority attorneys. To that end, the National Asian Pacific American 
Bar Association has joined the multitude of supporters of his 
nomination. They note that if confirmed, Mr. Nalbandian will be just 
the seventh active Asian Pacific American Federal appellate judge 
nationwide.
  John Nalbandian has the impressive credentials, the preparation, the 
broad support--every indication that he will be a worthy and capable 
judge.
  We should confirm both of these nominees without delay.