CAPAC Chair Chu on Senate Republicans Blocking the Confirmation of Goodwin Liu

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-32), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), today issued the following statement on Senate Republicans denying an up or down vote on Goodwin Liu, President Obama’s nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth circuit. By a vote of 52 to 43, with a majority of Senators voting in favor, the Senate was unable to overcome a procedural tactic that requires 60 votes to move forward with Professor Liu’s confirmation process.

“Our country, our justice system and the districts served by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals were denied an outstanding judge because of political games played by the Senate. A majority of Senators recognized that Professor Goodwin Liu’s stellar judicial record speaks for itself. Unfortunately, a minority decided to deny him the up-or-down vote he deserved, placing partisanship above the needs of our justice system.

“There continues to be a dearth of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) on the federal bench.  More than 40 percent of our nation’s Asian American population lives in the area in which the 9th Circuit has jurisdiction over, yet no Asian Americans serve on the 9th Circuit bench. If given the opportunity to receive a fair vote on the Senate Floor, Professor Liu would have become the only active AAPI judge on the ninth circuit and only the sixth AAPI appellate court judge in U.S. History. The federal court must represent the diverse makeup of the American people.

“I thank Majority Leader Reid and Senator Feinstein for their leadership throughout this process, and I am grateful to President Obama for nearly doubling the number of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders serving on the Federal bench through his judicial nominations. While Goodwin Liu was denied a fair vote, this will not deter CAPAC from its commitment to promoting the confirmation of qualified judicial nominees who reflect the diverse makeup of our society.”

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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently Chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.