Senate Dems Schedule Hearing for Biden Judicial Nominee Under Fire From Sexual Assault Victim

Maggie Hassan, Jeanne Shaheen are leading the charge against nominees who tried to anonymize victims of sexual assault underage

Senate Democrats have taken a big step forward in confirming Michael Delaney as judicial nominee. On Tuesday, two Democratic senators from New Hampshire called for leadership support.

Dick Durbin, D.Ill., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, scheduled Thursday’s markup hearing for Michael Delaney. This is a reversed fortune for President Joe Biden’s nominee for First Circuit. Durbin had just been elected as chairman of Senate Judiciary committee. omitted Delaney’s name As the victim’s family spoke against the nomination, they were prevented from attending scheduled markup hearings. Monday was acknowledged by the Judiciary chair that critical questions regarding Delaney’s character were raised. Jeanne Shaheen, a senator from New Hampshire, and Maggie Hassan are leading the charge for Delaney’s nomination in spite of the united Republican opposition and protests by victims’ rights activists.

Delaney’s controversial past stems from his representation of New Hampshire’s St. Paul’s School during a 2016 civil case against him. Chessy ProutProut, then 15, was sexually assaulted at campus as a child. Prout’s anonymity was threatened by Delaney during proceedings. Prout’s family referred to this as an act of intimidation.

Alex Prout, the father of the victim, said that he had spoken to him. Washington Free Beacon His family was expected to attend the markup meeting “as a reminder that the voices of survivors need to be heard.” Chessy Prout had written an opinion piece earlier in the month. the Boston Globe With the headline “I know Michael Delaney. After what he did, he doesn’t deserve to be a judge.”

Democrats will continue to support Delaney’s appointment, regardless of what the Prout family may have done. Shaheen spoke to Durbin Monday night about Delaney’s nomination. Both men left that meeting feeling positive in the confirmation of his candidature. Shaheen stated to reporters that Delaney would become an author. “excellent judge,” She echoes words she shared with Hassan from January’s letter in which they praise his work “commitment to justice.”

After celebrating its 100th confirmation of a judicial nominee, the White House is determined to beat Donald Trump’s previous record of 234 judges during his term. Since the election, only one of Biden’s nominees for judicial office has been defeated. The spokesperson for Senate Judiciary Democrats said that the senator spoke on behalf of them. NBC News This Monday “the committee is exceeding the confirmation pace of both the Trump and Obama administrations.”

It is not yet clear if Delaney will be confirmed. According to Senate sources, Delaney’s confirmation is still uncertain. Free Beacon If his party isn’t able to vote in the required numbers, it would not be impossible for a president pull the nomination. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), due to shingles, and John Fetterman, (Pa.), due to depression. This brings the number of Democratic votes to 49.

If Fetterman and Feinstein do not return quickly, at least one Republican must vote in favor of Delaney’s confirmation. This would force Kamala Harris to cast a tiebreaking vote. There are a few Republicans who could be absent from Delaney’s nomination day, which would reduce the requirement for a majority.

According to a Senate source, Free Beacon The March 16th date is when Delaney can see confirmation votes.

End Rape on Campus Tuesday, Tuesday’s victim’s advocacy group, called on its supporters “make your voice heard—tell your senators to oppose Michael Delaney’s nomination.”

“In order to end rape culture, we must advocate for legislative and cultural change at every possible opportunity,” The group released a statement. “If confirmed, Michael Delaney’s appointment to this important position will send a chilling message to survivors of sexual assault and advocates.”