{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=9EA0359A-6310-4B30-B79A-A908D372B309", "Senate To Consider Ninth Nominee For The Circuit Courts", "2017-11-27", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the president\u2019s nominee for district court judge for the District of Columbia, Dabney Friedrich and the nominee for U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Gregory Katsas:\r\n\r\n\u201cLater today, the Senate will consider two more talented nominees to the federal judiciary. First, we will vote to confirm the nomination of Dabney Friedrich to serve as a district court judge for the District of Columbia. Next, we will vote to advance the nomination of an exceptionally well-qualified nominee to the federal judiciary, Gregory Katsas to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.\r\n\r\n\u201cAfter graduating from Harvard Law School, Mr. Katsas clerked for Judge Edward Becker of the Third Circuit, and Justice Clarence Thomas, both on the D.C. Circuit and on the United States Supreme Court.He then joined the litigation group at a prominent law firm, focusing on state and federal appellate litigation, including arguing before the Supreme Court.\r\n\r\n\u201cIn 2001, Mr. Katsas became the Deputy Assistant Attorney General supervising the Justice Department\u2019s Appellate Staff of the Civil Division. The Senate later confirmed him by voice vote to serve as the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division, where he was responsible for overseeing hundreds of lawyers and some of the government\u2019s most complicated litigation.\r\n\r\n\u201cFor his work, he was awarded the Edmund Randolph Award for outstanding service, the highest award given by the Department. In a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, former Attorney General Michael Mukasey expressed his support for Mr. Katsas\u2019 nomination.\r\n\r\n\u201cHe wrote, \u2018it was my great privilege to work with Greg when he headed the Civil Division and argued many of the most difficult and challenging cases the Department faced at the time.\u2019\r\n\r\n\u201c\u2018Greg worked tirelessly to defend the interests of the United States in court,\u2019 he continued, \u2018whatever his personal views about them may have been.\u2019\r\n\r\n\u201cFormer Attorney General Mukasey, who has also previously served as a federal district court judge, went on to say that, \u2018it is Greg\u2019s character, temperament and virtue that most set him apart, and that suit him to serve as a Circuit Judge.\u2019\r\n\r\n\u201c\u2018There are many smart lawyers in Washington, and probably many nice ones,\u2019 he concluded. \u2018But I know of no others who have Greg\u2019s unique combination of legal skill coupled with humility, integrity, and good judgment.\u2019\r\n\r\n\u201cThat high praise was echoed by many of the other officials who knew Mr. Katsas while at the Justice Department. A large group of them wrote to the Senate Judiciary Committee supporting his nomination.\r\n\r\n\u201c\u2018Greg is an exceptionally talented and brilliant appellate lawyer. His commitment to public service and academic qualifications are impeccable. In addition, we can attest to Greg\u2019s thoughtfulness, temperament, and character.\u2019\r\n\r\n\u201cFurthermore, a group of distinguished attorneys who have, in their own words, \u2018worked with Greg or litigated against him in the Supreme Court or federal courts of appeals, or are otherwise familiar with his work,\u2019 penned a letter of support for Mr. Katsas\u2019 nomination.\r\n\r\n\u201c\u2018We hold a broad range of policy and jurisprudential views,\u2019 they wrote, \u2018but [we] are united in our view, based on our experience and knowledge of Greg\u2019s work, that he is highly qualified to serve on the D.C. Circuit.\u2019\r\n\r\n\u201cOnce he completed his time at the Department of Justice and returned to private practice, Mr. Katsas continued to impress his colleagues with his legal skill and judgement. His firm\u2019s managing partner wrote a letter, also signed by partners from around the globe, recommending this nomination. They wrote that, \u2018Greg is a truly great legal thinker with a well-earned reputation for integrity, fair-mindedness, and respect for others.\u2019\r\n\r\n\u201c\u2018He has been a brilliant, conscientious advocate,\u2019 they continued, \u2018for the firm\u2019s clients in the Supreme Court and appellate courts throughout the nation, in a wide variety of difficult, high-profile cases.\u2019\r\n\r\n\u201cMr. Katsas is an impressive individual who is well-qualified to serve on the D.C. Circuit. I would like to thank Chairman Grassley, once again, for his outstanding work in moving President Trump\u2019s judicial nominees to the floor. I look forward to confirming the nomination of Ms. Friedrich and advancing the nomination of Mr. Katsas later today. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting their nominations.\u201d\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=9EA0359A-6310-4B30-B79A-A908D372B309"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8830360602587461, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}