Mazie Hirono: “I thank my colleague from Minnesota. I rise to speak in support of the nomination of Cornelia ``Nina'' Pillard to be a…”

“I thank my colleague from Minnesota. I rise to speak in support of the nomination of Cornelia ``Nina'' Pillard to be a circuit judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Less than 2 weeks ago, my colleagues on the other side of the table blocked another nominee to the DC Circuit--Patty Millett. Earlier this year, they also blocked Caitlin Halligan--yet another woman who had been nominated to the DC Circuit. Unfortunately, Ms. Halligan withdrew her nomination after 2 years of obstruction. Only five women have served as judges on the DC Circuit in its entire 120-year history. The DC Circuit is one of the most important circuits in our Nation, and it is shameful that female perspectives are so underrepresented. Now the Senate will consider the nomination of Nina Pillard, a truly outstanding nominee to the Federal bench. Ms. Pillard is currently a law professor at Georgetown University Law Center and is one of the leading appellate attorneys in this country. Professor Pillard has extensive litigation experience at all levels. She has argued nine cases before the Supreme Court and has briefed dozens more, including the historic United States v. Virginia case that opened the Virginia Military Institute to women and the Nevada Department of Human Resources v.…”