Senate Continues Historic Judicial Confirmation Process

Update 3:30 PM: The Senate confirmed 53-43 former Texas Solicitor General James Ho to a powerful federal appeals court overseeing Texas cases.  Ho, a Taiwanese immigrant, is the first Asian-American to serve on the New Orleans-based United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
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James Ho

ARRA News Service: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding President Trump’s nominee for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, James Ho:
“Today, the Senate will continue another historic week confirming more of President Trump’s impressive judicial nominees to the federal bench. Steven Grasz – confirmed. Don Willett – confirmed. And soon, we will add James Ho to that list by confirming him to serve on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

“He is an exceptionally well-qualified nominee whose career in both public service and the private sector have earned him respect from both sides of the aisle. The former Democratic Mayor of Dallas supported his nomination, calling him, ‘among the most brilliant appellate lawyers in the United States.’

“When we vote to confirm Mr. Ho, we will be adding another fair and impartial judge to the federal bench. And by doing so, the Senate will take another important step to ensure that the federal judiciary fulfills its proper role in our constitutional system. Each of them will be an asset to our nation’s courts.

“Under Chairman Grassley’s leadership, the Senate Judiciary Committee has done outstanding work to move these judicial nominees to the floor. I am grateful for his efforts, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in voting to confirm Mr. Ho soon.”
Jim Ho ‘Has A Fidelity To The Rule Of Law That We Should All Want In A Federal Judge’
The 12th Nominee To A Circuit Court To Be Confirmed By The Senate This Year
TEXAS SENATORS: Jim Ho A Star ‘In The Texas Legal Firmament’:

SEN. JOHN CORNYN (R-TX): “Jim Ho and Justice Don Willett have proven their sharp legal expertise and fidelity to the law throughout their distinguished careers in Texas… I was proud to join Senator Cruz in recommending both Texans to fill the vacancies on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and together we’ll fight for their swift confirmation by the full Senate.” (Sens. Cornyn & Cruz, Press Release, 12/7/2017)

• SEN. CORNYN: “Jim Ho and Justice Don Willett are two stars in the Texas legal firmament already. These nominees reflect the comprehensive process of both the bipartisan Texas Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee that Senator Cruz and I have established as well as the White House Counsel’s Office and the Department of Justice, and I commend the President on these excellent nominations.” (Sen. Cornyn, Press Release, 11/15/2017)

SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX): “Justice Don Willett and Jim Ho are nominees of deep intellect and principle… Both of them, with their remarkable academic backgrounds and professional careers, have demonstrated a commitment to the rule of law and the Constitution. I am confident they will make extraordinary appellate judges, and look forward to their swift confirmation.” (Sens. Cornyn & Cruz, Press Release, 12/7/2017)

• SEN. CRUZ: “…I will tell this committee not only are these men of deep intellect and deep principle, but these are also two men of the finest character I’ve ever known. They are honorable. They are honest. Jim is an immigrant to this country. I will say you love this country with a passion that burns bright. That is unmistakable.” (Sen. Cruz, Press Release, 11/15/2017)

RON KIRK, Former Dallas Mayor & Obama Administration U.S. Trade Representative: “Jim and I certainly have differences of political philosophy. But he is nonetheless a splendid choice for the Fifth Circuit.  Most importantly, Jim possesses the temperament, integrity, and intellect that anyone, Republican or Democrat, should insist on in a federal judge.  In fact, there is no partner that I have been more impressed with than Jim.  He’s wickedly smart and is among the most brilliant appellate lawyers in the United States.  And he has a fidelity to the rule of law that we should all want in a federal judge. If there is one thing that my liberal and conservative colleagues agree on, it is that Jim just has it in his DNA to be a great judge.”

• RON KIRK: “As a lifelong Democrat, former elected mayor of Dallas, Texas, and former U.S. Trade Representative under the Administration of President Barack Obama, I thank you for this opportunity to express my enthusiastic support of Jim Ho for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. … I have known Jim for years.  We work in neighboring offices at the law firm of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, just two doors down from one another.  I see him in the hallways, in partner meetings, and in the offices of colleagues.  He is a wonderful partner and a devoted mentor to numerous associates. … The last time Texans got to fill a seat of the Fifth Circuit, it was Judge Gregg Costa, who this body confirmed by a well-deserved unanimous vote. As a lifelong Democrat and devoted member of the Obama cabinet, I ask you to give Jim Ho the same unanimous consent.” (Ron Kirk, Letter To Sens. Grassley & Feinstein, 10/2/2017)

KAREN NARASAKI, Commissioner on the United States Commission on Civil Rights appointed by President Obama: “As your committee considers the nomination of James C. Ho to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, it is my privilege to speak to his character and to urge the Committee to vote in favor of his nomination. I have known Mr. Ho professionally for nearly twenty years through his volunteer work with the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. While we have different political perspectives, Mr. Ho has a strong reputation as an intelligent, reasonable, fair and principled attorney. He is honest, genuine, and hard-working. …James C. Ho is eminently well qualified to serve on the federal judiciary and deserves speedy confirmation.” (Karen Narasaki, Letter To Sens. Grassley & Feinstein, 10/2/2017)

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