[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 30, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5566-S5567]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                    Nomination of Stacey D. Neumann

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the nomination 
of Stacey Neumann to serve as a U.S. district court judge for the 
District of Maine.
  I had the opportunity to meet with Ms. Neumann before her Senate 
Judiciary Committee hearing in May.
  The committee has reported her nomination favorably with bipartisan 
support, and the Senate will be voting on her confirmation shortly.
  I have decided to support this nominee based on her extensive legal 
experience--including as a Federal prosecutor--her in-depth interview 
with me, and her hearing testimony and background check. I have 
concluded that she possesses the integrity, intellect, and impartiality 
to serve in this critical position.
  Ms. Neumann has served as a litigator at the law firm Murray Plumb & 
Murray in Portland, ME. She has been there since 2013 and handles 
criminal defense and civil litigation matters in State and Federal 
courts and agencies. Prior to this role, Ms. Neumann served in the U.S. 
Attorney's Office for the District of Maine as an assistant U.S. 
attorney, where she represented the Federal Government in a variety of 
criminal proceedings.

[[Page S5567]]

  Notably, a group of former Federal prosecutors from the District of 
Maine signed a letter stating that, in their view, Ms. Neumann has 
``distinguished herself by virtue of a keen legal mind, tireless work 
ethic, and balanced and measured professional demeanor.''
  Earlier in her career, Ms. Neumann served as the law clerk to a 
justice of the Vermont Supreme Court as well as for a judge on the U.S. 
Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She graduated magna cum laude 
from both James Madison University and Cornell Law School.
  The American Bar Association has given Ms. Neumann its highest rating 
of unanimously ``well qualified.''
  If confirmed by the Senate, she would be assigned to the U.S. 
district court seat in Bangor.
  Based on her experience and character, I believe that Stacey Neumann 
will faithfully uphold our Nation's laws and that she will serve the 
State of Maine and our Nation well. I urge the Senate to confirm this 
nominee.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maine.
  Mr. KING. Mr. President, I can't really improve upon the comments 
made by my senior colleague. I think she summarized Stacey Neumann's 
qualifications brilliantly and really made the case for her 
confirmation.
  I just wanted to add a couple of notes. One is that not only does she 
have extraordinary qualifications in terms of having been a public 
defender and a Federal prosecutor and a civil litigator, she has had 
experience in all areas of the law, particularly areas of the law 
involving courtroom practice, motions, negotiations, the whole process 
that a judge has to preside over in our court system.
  In addition, though--I think Senator Collins really beautifully 
summarized her qualifications, but in addition, I found in my 
discussions with her and my discussions with others who know her well 
that she has the important temperament to hold this position and to 
give confidence to those who appear before her in the court.
  Our courts rest upon the trust and confidence of the public. People 
have to believe that the judges and the people that are involved in our 
judicial system are nonpartisan, are neutral factfinders, and are going 
to do their best to apply the law fairly and evenly, no matter who the 
parties are before them. I believe that Stacey Neumann has that quality 
of fairness and has the quality of the temperament that is so important 
to a successful judicial career.
  One final note. As a former practicing lawyer in Maine, I appreciate 
judges who have a bit of humility. Even though they have on the black 
robe, they identify with the litigants before them and the counsel and 
don't try to run roughshod over those people that are before them in 
the court. I think Stacey Neumann has that quality of judicial 
temperament that is evenhanded, that is empathetic, and I think she 
will make an extraordinary district court judge in our wonderful city 
of Bangor, ME.
  So I join my senior colleague in urging my colleagues to support this 
nomination. I think she will be a real asset to the judiciary in the 
country but particularly to the people of Maine.
  I yield the floor.
  I would like to ask unanimous consent that the scheduled vote occur 
immediately at this moment in time. Thank you.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.