At long last, the Senate has confirmed Nancy G. Abudu to the Eleventh Circuit bench. The final vote was painfully close, 49-47, and it nearly turned out the other way: one Democrat (Manchin) voted “no,” and three Republicans did not vote all (Ernst, Rubio, and Moran).
Judge Abudu was sworn in last week, and you’ll now find her name on the Eleventh Circuit’s website. For the first time in nearly two years, our appeals court has a full roster of 12 active judges, judges nominated by Presidents Biden (1), Trump (6), Obama (3), Clinton (1), George W. Bush (1).
In announcing the confirmation, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, offered this stirring endorsement:
Nancy Abudu is a highly experienced litigator who has spent the majority of her career defending the civil rights of all Americans. She’s worked on a range of matters, including defending voting rights, protecting religious freedom, and advancing criminal justice reform. Her perspective and background will be a valuable addition to the Eleventh Circuit, which currently has no former civil rights lawyers on the bench.
Ms. Abudu is a barrier-breaker – the first Black woman ever to serve on this court. I congratulate her on becoming the thirty-fourth Circuit Court judge confirmed under President Biden, and being the latest example of the Senate Judiciary Committee advancing nominees who will ensure a fair justice system for all and represent the diversity of America.
Yes, indeed.