Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Goodwin Liu Nomination

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved by a vote of 12-7 Goodwin Liu’s nomination to be a judge on the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Liu, an acclaimed scholar, teacher, and nationally recognized expert on constitutional and education law, is associate dean and professor of law at UC Berkeley Boalt Hall School of Law.

Liu’s nomination is widely supported by the civil and human rights community.  In a May 12 letter of support to the committee, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights said:

“Professor Liu’s writings and other legal work show that he takes a highly thoughtful approach to difficult issues, carefully analyzing all sides of arguments and reaching conclusions based on well-established law rather than political ideology.  He consistently displays the highest level of intellectual honesty, independent thinking, and commitment to fairness – meaning that litigants before him will feel certain, regardless of the outcome, that they were given a fair day in court.  It is no wonder that his nomination has garnered strong support, from across the political and ideological spectrum, among those who know him best.”

The Senate is expected to vote on Liu’s confirmation before it breaks for recess at the end of the month.