[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 199 (Monday, December 4, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                  Nomination of Irma Carrillo Ramirez

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm 
Irma Carrillo Ramirez to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth 
Circuit.
  Born in Brownfield, TX, Judge Ramirez received her B.A. from West 
Texas State University and her J.D. from the Southern Methodist 
University Dedman School of Law. She then entered private practice at a 
law firm in Dallas before going to work in the U.S. Attorney's Office 
for the Northern District of Texas. During her 11 years as a litigator, 
she tried nine cases to verdict, including four jury trials.
  Since 2002, Judge Ramirez has served as a magistrate judge in the 
Northern District of Texas. As a magistrate judge, she has presided 
over 13 trials. She also served as the presiding judge in over 440 
consent cases, and she has been assigned more than 2,400 cases for full 
case management. In addition to her service as a magistrate judge, 
Judge Ramirez currently presides over the reentry court in the Northern 
District of Texas and helps oversee the district court's civil pro bono 
panel.
  Judge Ramirez is strongly supported by both of her home State 
Senators--Mr. Cornyn and Mr. Cruz--and the American Bar Association 
unanimously rated her as ``well qualified'' to serve on the Fifth 
Circuit. She has deep ties to Texas, and her significant experience as 
both an advocate and magistrate judge will serve her well on the Fifth 
Circuit.
  If confirmed, Judge Ramirez will be the first Hispanic woman to serve 
on the Fifth Circuit and the only active Hispanic judge on the Fifth 
Circuit.
  During Judge Ramirez's confirmation hearing, Senator Cornyn called 
her ``exceptionally qualified'' and said that ``[y]ou can tell that 
Texas is very proud of Judge Ramirez.'' I am proud to support her 
nomination, and I urge my colleagues to join me.
  Mr. SANDERS. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant bill clerk called the roll.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Hawaii.
  Mr. SCHATZ. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. SCHATZ. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that we start 
the vote now.