[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 102 (Monday, June 17, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S4108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Nomination of Mustafa Taher Kasubhai
Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, I come to the floor today to state my
strong support for Judge Mustafa Kasubhai's nomination to serve on the
U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.
There are a number of reasons why I believe Judge Kasubhai's
nomination is appropriate, but today I will focus on what I think are
three priorities of his. First is public safety; second is
understanding rural communities; and third, his nomination has broad
support from leaders across the political spectrum.
During his 6 years serving as a Federal magistrate judge on the
Oregon district court, Judge Kasubhai has demonstrated a commitment to
the rule of law and community security--so much so that the judge's
nomination has been endorsed by the Oregon Association Chiefs of
Police, the Acting U.S. Marshal, and others in law enforcement.
The Oregon Association Chiefs of Police took special note of Judge
Kasubhai's record. They called that record a ``distinguished record of
service and dedication to upholding the rule of law, as well as his
unwavering commitment to supporting crime victims and law enforcement''
as one of the many reasons that the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police
is backing his nomination.
In one case earlier this year, Judge Kasubhai ordered a White
supremacist, alleged to have defaced a synagogue, to be held in
detention while court proceedings were ongoing. Judge Kasubhai deemed
this individual too great a threat to the community, despite defense
counsel calling for him to be released on home confinement. This is
just one example which shows Judge Kasubhai's commitment to
prioritizing public safety.
Second, the judge knows and understands the challenges facing rural
communities across the country. Before serving as a magistrate judge,
he practiced law in Klamath Falls, OR. For those who aren't familiar
with my State, this is a very rural area with an agricultural and
natural resource-driven economy.
Judge Kasubhai has been there for these communities. Anyone with
Judge Kasubhai's resume would have had a lot of opportunities available
to them, and it says a lot about the judge's character and care for
rural Oregonians that he chose to go where his skills were most needed,
and he saw that he could make a difference in rural Oregon.
In talking with Judge Kasubhai, it is clear that his time working in
Klamath Falls gave him a firsthand understanding of how the judicial
system affects rural communities. I have no doubt that he will use this
knowledge to ensure that his decisions are fair to all and take into
account the needs of communities, large and small.
Finally, not only did Judge Kasubhai advance through a bipartisan
judicial selection commission in my State, he also brings with him
letters of support from leaders across Oregon and the political
spectrum. Notably, he has the support of both a judge appointed by
President Bush, who called him ``the very soul of fairness,'' as well
as a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney.
Judge Kasubhai's extensive legal accomplishments, unwavering
commitment to serving our communities, and dedication to the rule of
law are all reasons why I urge my colleagues to vote for his
confirmation. This is a judge who will truly lead--and lead in a way
that complies with the rule of law.
I yield the floor.
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