[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 185 (Tuesday, November 19, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONFIRMATION OF STEVEN J. MENASHI

  Mr. VAN VOLLEN. Madam President, last week, I voted against Steven 
Menashi's nomination to serve on the Second Circuit, to the same seat 
once held by Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Throughout his 
legal career, Menashi has shown himself to be hostile to women's 
rights, communities of color, and LGBT Americans.
  I am disappointed that my colleagues have avoided passing important 
legislation and have solely focused on confirming many extremist 
judges. The Senate Republican leader has refused to allow votes on a 
host of important legislation, including bills to secure our elections 
from foreign interference, to strengthen background checks, and to 
reduce the rate of gun violence in our communities, and to provide a 
path to citizenship for DACA and TPS recipients. All of these bills 
deserve a vote, but they are all languishing in the Senate legislative 
graveyard.
  Menashi has a record of bias and while at the Department of 
Education, has repeatedly supported policies that hurt students and 
borrowers. Alongside Secretary DeVos, Menashi, created an illegal 
scheme to deny debt relief to defrauded students, including 
Marylanders. Additionally, Menashi has worked hand-in-hand with Trump 
senior advisor Steven Miller to advance cruel policies that undermine 
American values.
  The American people deserve better from the U.S. Senate. We should 
not have voted on and confirmed this nominee and instead should be 
working on legislation to improve the lives and ensure the safety of 
our constituents.

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