[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 19, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S2424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     Nomination of Nicole G. Berner

  Mr. President, on nominations, finally, today, the Senate will 
confirm another exceptional judge to the Federal bench--Nicole Berner 
to serve as a circuit court judge for the Fourth Circuit.
  Ms. Berner is an accomplished labor lawyer with over 17 years of 
experience fighting for working people as general counsel at the SEIU--
one of the largest unions in the country. Once confirmed, Ms. Berner 
will also make history as the first openly LGBTQ person to serve on the 
Fourth Circuit. Ms. Berner will bring much needed professional 
diversity to the courts and personal diversity to assure every American 
that they have representation in our judiciary.
  After Ms. Berner's confirmation, the Senate Democratic majority will 
have confirmed over 180--over 180--highly qualified, diverse judges to 
the Federal bench. These are judges outside the status quo--people of 
color, women, judges with diverse professional backgrounds who are 
making the courts better reflect the people they serve. In fact, last 
week, I am proud that the Senate confirmed the 100th Black woman to 
serve a lifetime Federal judgeship in the history of the United States.
  Senate Democrats will continue working with President Biden to 
confirm more judges and bring more balance to the courts in the weeks 
and months ahead.
  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 executive 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for the quorum call be rescinded.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.