[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 149 (Thursday, September 15, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S4631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   Confirmation of Sarah A.L. Merriam

  Mr. President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm Judge Sarah 
Merriam to serve on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
  Judge Merriam was confirmed last year as a U.S. District Court Judge 
for the District of Connecticut. She received a bipartisan vote on the 
Senate floor, which reflects not only her qualifications, but her 
impartiality as well.
  Prior to her appointment to the district court, Judge Merriam served 
as a U.S. magistrate judge for the District of Connecticut from 2015 to 
2021.
  Throughout her time on the Federal bench, Judge Merriam has presided 
over hundreds of matters, including five trials that proceeded to final 
judgment.
  This significant judicial experience has undoubtedly prepared Judge 
Merriam to serve on the Second Circuit.
  Judge Merriam also has extensive experience in Federal court as an 
advocate. For the bulk of her career as a practicing attorney, she 
served as an assistant Federal defender, representing clients who could 
not otherwise afford adequate legal representation.
  Notably, 24 former Federal prosecutors in Connecticut--including 
three former U.S. attorneys appointed by Presidents of both political 
parties--support Judge Merriam's nomination to the Second Circuit.
  This broad, bipartisan support is a testament to her fairness and 
evenhandedness, both as a jurist and as an advocate.
  The American Bar Association unanimously rated Judge Merriam ``well 
qualified'' to serve on the Second Circuit, and she has the strong 
support of Senators Blumenthal and Murphy.
  Judge Merriam has shown that she has the qualifications, experience, 
and fidelity to the rule of law needed to administer justice on the 
Second Circuit. I will be supporting her confirmation and urge my 
colleagues to do the same.
  I yield the floor.