On the Hill Updates: Friday, June 4, 2021
Courts
Well qualified for Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
On May 26, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the nomination of Tiffany Cunningham to the United States Court of Appeal for the Federal Circuit. Cunningham is a registered patent attorney before the US Patent and Trademark office with over 20 years of experience in patent and intellectual property law, in addition to holding both a BS in Chemical Engineering and a law degree. Her confirmation would bring a critical perspective as a trained engineer to a court that deals with issues of technology, science, and medicine. The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on Cunningham’s nomination next week. NCJW supports Tiffany Cunningham for the Federal Circuit.
- Take Action! Tell your senators to support Tiffany Cunningham for the Federal Circuit, particularly if they are members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Two public defenders nominated to the bench
On May 20, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance the nominations of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the US Courts of Appeals for the DC Circuit (13-9) and Candace Jackson-Akiwumi to the US Courts of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (12-10). The Senate is expected to vote on both nominees around the second week of June. Judge Jackson has a history of supporting reproductive health care, civil rights, disability rights, and labor rights and Jackson-Akiwumi has spent the majority of her career as a public defender. NCJW supports Ketanji Brown Jackson and Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, who have demonstrated deep commitments to protecting civil rights and ensuring equal access to justice throughout their careers.
Additional Updates:
#WearOrange for gun safety this weekend
This weekend is Wear Orange Weekend for gun safety. NCJW is proud, once again, to cosponsor National Gun Violence Awareness Day and the Wear Orange Weekend to honor survivors of gun violence and remember those who have senselessly lost their lives due to firearms. Orange is the color that Hadiya Pendleton’s friends wore in her honor when she was shot and killed in Chicago at the age of 15 — just one week after performing at President Obama’s second inaugural parade in 2013. Hadiya’s friends launched #WearOrange and NCJW has been a partner since its inception. Learn more about how to participate online and in your communities here.
An end to the dangerous “Remain in Mexico” policy
On June 1, the Biden administration ended the Trump administration’s Migrant Protection Protocol that forced Central American asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their US court cases. NCJW hails this important decision dismantling the harmful “Remain in Mexico” policy.