(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor in support of Eunice Lee’s nomination to serve on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.  During his speech, Durbin called on his colleagues to support Ms. Lee’s nomination in order to continue bringing balance to our nation’s courts and elevating the professional perspective of public defenders that is underrepresented within our federal judiciary.  The Senate is scheduled to vote on cloture on Ms. Lee’s nomination later today.

“If confirmed, Ms. Lee would be the only Black woman and the only former public defender to serve on the Second Circuit.  With her nomination, the Biden Administration and Senate Democrats are continuing our efforts to build a federal judiciary that looks like America,” Durbin said.  “I’d like to take a moment… to discuss Ms. Lee’s qualifications and what she will bring to the bench—a perspective that is sorely needed.  Ms. Lee has dedicated her entire legal career to public defense work… upholding the Sixth Amendment right to counsel, representing defendants who cannot afford to hire a lawyer.”

Durbin concluded, “With Eunice Lee’s confirmation, the Senate can continue bringing balance to our nation’s courts and elevate a professional perspective severely underrepresented today.  I’ll vote for Ms. Lee’s nomination.  I urge my colleagues to do the same.”

Video of Durbin’s floor speech is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s floor speech is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s floor speech is available here for TV Stations.

Last month, Ms. Lee advanced out of the Judiciary Committee with a vote of 11-10.