CAPAC Urges Senate to Confirm Goodwin Liu to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-32), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), and other Members of CAPAC, today called on the Senate to confirm Professor Goodwin Liu, President Obama’s nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In order for Liu to receive an up or down confirmation vote on the Senate Floor, he will need to overcome a procedural hurdle requiring 60 “yes” votes.

“There is a dearth of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders on the federal bench.  More than 40 percent of our nation’s Asian American population lives in the area in which the 9th Circuit has jurisdiction over, yet currently no Asian Americans serve on the 9th Circuit bench. Liu’s confirmation would change that,” said Chu. “The federal court must represent the diverse makeup of the American people. I urge the Senate to allow a vote on his nomination on the Floor and to confirm him. He is exceptionally well qualified for this position and has a long list of supporters across the ideological spectrum.”

“Goodwin Liu is an exceptionally qualified nominee and a shining example of the American dream,” said U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka.  “I have long been impressed by his academic and career achievements, and after meeting with him today I am thoroughly convinced that Goodwin Liu will be an outstanding judge for the Ninth Circuit.  He is highly qualified, intelligent, and he will help the court better reflect the broad population it serves.  He has strong support in the Senate and he deserves an up-or-down vote.”

The lack of Asian Pacific American representation on the federal bench has been one of CAPAC’s top concerns.  Currently, there are only 14 active AAPI Article III Judges out of 875 Article III Judges. If confirmed, Liu, who is of Taiwanese descent, will join Judge Denny Chin of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals as the second Asian Pacific American federal appellate court judge nominated by President Obama. 

Professor Liu has a long list of bipartisan supporters, including leading conservatives like Whitewater prosecutor Ken Starr, Clint Bolick from the Goldwater Institute, Richard Painter who served as the chief White House ethics lawyer for President George W. Bush, and William T. Coleman, who served as Secretary of Transportation for President Ford. The American Bar Association rated Liu as “Unanimously Well Qualified,” the highest rating given.


CAPAC Member Quotes

Rep. Madeleine Z. Bordallo, CAPAC Vice-Chair (GU): “Professor Goodwin Liu is a leader in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, and I support his nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  Professor Liu is a professor at the University of California at Berkeley, where he is recognized as a leading expert on constitutional law, civil rights, and education policy. This expertise and his previous clerkships with the U.S. Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit demonstrate his outstanding service to the legal and academic professions. I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to vote favorably for his confirmation as an appellate judge for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.”

Rep: Colleen Hanabusa (HI-1), CAPAC Whip: “Our country’s diversity – the mix of cultures and values – is what strengthens us as a nation. However, Asian Americans are not properly represented on the federal bench and in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, despite the large APA population it covers. Goodwin Liu is a highly-respected, exceptionally qualified nominee for the seat. I encourage my Senate colleagues to give Mr. Liu their full support.”

Rep. Bobby Scott, CAPAC Civil Rights Taskforce Chair (VA-3): “Goodwin Liu is an accomplished and well qualified candidate for the United States Circuit Court. From Associate at O’Melveny & Myers to Supreme Court Clerk to Associate Dean and Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, Professor Liu has a distinguished career in law and public service.  He also has the benefit of having wide bipartisan support for his nomination.  His nomination deserves confirmation by the United States Senate.”

Rep. Mike Honda, CAPAC Immigration Taskforce Chair (CA-15): “I urge the Senate to swiftly confirm Professor Goodwin Liu. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are vastly underrepresented in the courts, and the confirmation of Professor Liu would be another step towards fulfilling President Obama’s promise of a well qualified and diverse judiciary. Goodwin is a personal friend and leader in my home state of California. I have worked with him for many years, particularly in ensuring access and equity in our education system. He has not only been a leader in the AAPI community, he has proven himself in the legal profession as well, with support from renowned legal minds from a diversity of ideological backgrounds.”

Rep. David Wu, CAPAC Education Taskforce Chair (OR-1): “The Senate has stalled for far too long on scheduling a full vote on the nomination of Goodwin Liu to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.  I attended Professor Liu’s first confirmation hearing last year, and I strongly believe that his complete command of the law, dedication to civil rights, and personal story as the son of immigrants from Taiwan make him a superb nominee to serve on the federal bench.  As I continue to support Asian Pacific American participation in all levels of public service, I call on my Senate colleagues to confirm Goodwin Liu now.”

Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07): “Goodwin Liu has been waiting long enough. He’s been more thoroughly vetted than any of the president’s judicial nominees outside the Supreme Court. Everyone has found the same strong, qualified nominee they saw at the beginning of this process, and I hope he’s confirmed without a single dissenting vote. There’s no reason to hold him up any longer. He should begin what will be a highly distinguished career on the Ninth Circuit as soon as possible.” 

Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-05): “Goodwin Liu is a renowned legal scholar, an award‐winning teacher, and a respected lawyer.  He has rich experience in both government and private practice, and prominent lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have praised his intellectual honesty, open‐mindedness, and firm commitment to faithfully follow the law,” said Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-05).  “I have personally known Goodwin for a number of years and know that he has both the temperament and the intellect to be an effective appellate jurist.  Although I regret that his confirmation has been delayed for this long, I encourage the Senate to do the right thing and confirm his nomination.”

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09): “The President made an outstanding choice to nominate Goodwin Liu to a seat on the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. As an acclaimed constitutional law scholar at UC – Berkley, Liu’s record shows a strong grasp  of the important legal questions facing us today.  Liu’s nomination shows the President’s commitment to pick brilliant legal minds and to ensure that the judiciary reflects the diversity that helps make this country great. Goodwin Liu deserves a fair up-or-down vote.“

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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently Chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.