Senate Judiciary Committee

At a hearing on May 20, two circuit-court nominees appeared: Benjamin Flowers, former Solicitor General of Ohio, to the Sixth Circuit Court and Matthew Schwartz, Trump’s personal lawyer in the Stormy Daniels case, to the Second Circuit Court. Their nominations are expected to be marked up on June 11. Courts Matter Illinois opposes both nominees. 

The mark-up schedule on May 21 for: Jeffrey Kuntz to the District Court for the Southern District of Florida; Mike Hendershot to the District Court for the Northern District of Ohio; and John Marck and Arthur “Rob” Jones to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas was rescheduled for June 4 when the Senate recessed for a two-week Memorial Day break. 

The next hearing is planned for June 10 with: Judge Daniel Traynor to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals; Kasdin Mitchell to the District Court for the Northern District of Texas; Angela Colmenero to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas; Antonio Pozos to the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and Michael Martin to the District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Save the Date July 6 at 11AM CT for Webinar on Blockbuster SCOTUS Cases

Join our national partner National Council of Jewish Women on July 6 at 11am CT (12PM ET) for “Gavel Down: The Supreme Court’s Biggest Cases of the 2025-2026 Term.” 

Dahlia Lithwick, award-winning legal journalist, longtime Supreme Court correspondent for Slate, and host of the acclaimed Amicus podcast will help us break down the blockbuster cases shaping the country’s future — from reproductive freedom and executive power to lgbtq rights and the limits of federal authority. 

Together, we’ll explore how the Court’s rulings will impact our rights and communities, what these decisions signal about the direction of the Court, and what advocates, organizers, and everyday people should be prepared for in the months and years ahead. 

This conversation will provide both clarity and context at a pivotal moment for the nation, helping us understand not only what the Court decides, but what those decisions mean for our democracy, institutions, and daily lives. Register here.

Supreme Court Hearings Conclude for 2025-26 Term; Stay Tuned for Decision Updates Here 

Weekly Wrap Up: As of May 22 

(We will be on haitus until after June 1)

An enormous $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund was announced by the White House designed to provide relief to those who were “victims of lawfare” with little or no accountability to the taxpayers whose money would fund it. 

The Trump-packed US Commission of Fine Arts has approved the design of an enormous arch at the foot of the Memorial Bridge, interrupting the view from Arlington Cemetery to the Lincoln Memorial. The historic reflecting pool at the base of the Lincoln Memorial is being repainted to look more like an enormous swimming pool. And the enormous new ballroom, rising out of the rubble of the White House East Wing, has put the enormous budget reconciliation bill in jeopardy. 

The Senate abruptly left town without finishing the bill which mainly includes an enormous sum of $53+ billion for ICE and Customs and Border Protection. It was the $1 billion for the ballroom and $1.8 billion for the “anti-weaponization fund” that proved to be a bridge too far even for some Republicans.

Against this backdrop, the Supreme Court is getting ready to close out its 2025-26 term by issuing decisions on the final cases left on its docket. With the understanding that the Supreme Court is not the only court that matters, especially given that the vast majority of cases are decided at the lower federal court level without Supreme Court review, we continue to keep watch on Senate confirmation action. 

This week the Senate confirmed Sheria Clarke to the District Court for the District of South Carolina (52-38) and Evan Rikhye to a ten-year term for the District Court for the District of the Virgin Islands (52-47). Before leaving for the two-week Memorial Day recess, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) filed cloture on Kathleen “Katie” Lane (opposed by NCJW)  to the District Court for the District of Montana and Jeffrey Kuhlman to the District Court for the District of Kansas. 

Cloture votes will occur when the Senate returns on June 1. These judges may join the 38 others confirmed by the Senate in this second Trump term.

Headlines

(Slate) A MAGA judge’s shocking power grab crossing over into an impeachable offense

(Scotusblog) Rethinking a Supreme Court principle used to undermine the Voting Rights Act

(NPR) Supreme Court is death knell for Virginia’s Democrat-friendly congressional map

(Reuters) In the south, an appeal court leans farther right than the Supreme Court

(Guardian) Supreme Court dismisses Alabama’s bid to execute intellectually disabled man

Separation of Church and State at Risk in the Courts