Hirono, Senate Democrats Continue Fight to Confirm Clare Connors, Other Qualified Judicial Nominees

Senator Mazie K. Hirono, for the third time, took to the Senate floor to call for the confirmation of Hawaii’s Clare Connors to Hawaii’s U.S. District Court, and other judicial nominees from courts across the country who have been waiting over a year for a floor vote. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) blocked Senator Hirono and other Senate Democrats’ requests.

From Senator Hirono’s remarks:

“During her career, Clare has worked for John Ashcroft and Eric Holder.  She is impartial, she is qualified, and she deserves a vote. If Clare is not confirmed, the Hawaii district seat would be left vacant for over a year. 

“People who appear before our courts don’t want to know if their judge is a Democrat or Republican. They just want to know that when they get their day in court, there will be a competent and qualified judge sitting there.”

In April, Clare Connors was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee to fill the vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii created by Chief Judge Susan Oki Mollway’s retirement from active service.