[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 169 (Thursday, October 24, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                    Nomination of Justin Reed Walker

  Madam President, on one last issue--judges--today the Senate will 
consider the nomination of Justin Walker of Kentucky to serve a 
lifetime appointment on the Federal bench. Mr. Walker is less than 10 
years out of law school, has never tried a case, has never served as 
cocounsel, and it is not clear how much of his 10 years has been spent 
practicing law. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Walker earned a rare ``not 
qualified'' rating by the American Bar Association. Very few are called 
``not qualified,'' but he is one of them.
  It seems the only reason Mr. Walker has been nominated for an austere 
judgeship is his membership in the Federalist Society and his far-
rightwing views on healthcare, civil rights, and Executive power.
  Unfortunately, Mr. Walker is part of a well-established pattern of 
Republicans stacking the Federal bench with manifestly unqualified 
judges. Another brazen example is Steven Menashi, who was slated to be 
considered in committee today before, thank God, it was delayed. Mr. 
Menashi's record of extreme views is well documented. He pushed Betsy 
DeVos's anti-student agenda at the Department of Education and worked 
closely with Stephen Miller at the White House on policies that harm 
immigrants. His past writings show scorn for LGBTQ Americans and women. 
Menashi's conduct before the Judiciary Committee was insulting, his 
contempt for the Senate reprehensible, and his refusal to be 
forthcoming about his record should be outright disqualifying. Senators 
Graham and Kennedy, in the committee, noted that his refusal to answer 
questions was troubling.
  Folks like Mr. Walker and Mr. Menashi have not earned the privilege 
of a lifetime appointment to the bench. I am glad that one of my 
Republican colleagues has said they will oppose Mr. Menashi's 
nomination, and other Republicans should follow suit on his nomination 
and on Mr. Walker's vote today.
  I yield the floor.

                          ____________________