[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 16, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S4558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          Judicial Nominations

  Mr. President, sometimes good news comes to those who wait. Other 
times, it comes rather quickly. Earlier this year, I recommended to 
President Biden a prominent voting rights attorney for a key position 
on the Federal Bench in New York.
  Yesterday, President Biden agreed with my recommendation and 
announced his intention to formally nominate Myrna Perez for the Second 
Circuit Court of Appeals. I am very pleased that the President has 
chosen her and am proud to have championed her candidacy.
  Ms. Perez is not only an accomplished attorney who has dedicated her 
career to equal justice under the law, but she is one of the Nation's 
foremost experts on voting rights and elections. With a national focus 
on voting rights now, it is a significant step to elevate Ms. Perez to 
the Federal Bench.
  Beyond that important exercise, she would also be the first Latina to 
serve on the Second Circuit Court since now-Justice Sonia Sotomayor--
who, incidentally, I suggested to President Obama that he put her on 
the Supreme Court. Ms. Perez is a perfect example of Democrats' desire 
to bring balance, experience, and professional and personal diversity 
back to the judiciary.
  So far this year, I have made two recommendations to the Second 
Circuit in New York: Ms. Eunice Lee, a former Federal defender, and now 
Ms. Perez, a voting rights attorney.
  The cupboards of the Federal judiciary have long been stocked with 
former prosecutors and corporate lawyers. It is about time that civil 
rights attorneys, voting rights attorneys, and Federal defenders like 
these two outstanding nominees join the ranks.
  So, again, I applaud President Biden's decision. It is a very bright 
day for the future of the Federal Bench in New York.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.