On the recordSeptember 20, 2016
as I said earlier, Julien Neals is someone whom I was proud to recommend to President Obama. Julien Neals is right there with the next jurist, Edward Stanton from Tennessee. They are well-qualified jurists who are the only two African Americans on the long list of the next 15. Both of these men have demonstrated skill, earned distinction, and they have incredible legal careers. Right now, the second longest nomination pending on the floor is Judge Neals, who was first nominated over a year ago--in fact, 19 months ago. He has been nominated to fill what is now a judicial emergency, as I stated, which means more specifically that the caseload is extraordinarily high, that other good public servants in our State are doing their best to keep up but cannot, and the course of justice is being perverted. The people of New Jersey deserve better from us as a body, and this seat should be filled. It is an act of simple justice. It is an act of mercy at this point. A hearing was held on his nomination in September of 2015, and his nomination was passed out of committee in November of 2015. Since that time, Judge Neals' nomination has been sidelined by this body. Judge Neals has incredibly strong qualifications, and more than that, this is a man I know. I know his family. I have seen up close and personal the sacrifices he has made.…
