On 1/12/2022, Senator Blackburn said she had “serious concerns” about the nominee’s lack of experience and qualifications. Mathis, an attorney based in Memphis, has never argued a case in a federal appeals court or served as a judge.
Judiciary Chairman Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., held a confirmation hearing for Andre Mathis, President Joe Biden’s pick for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit that has historically been designated for a nominee from Tennessee. Durbin did so over the objection of Tennessee Republican Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, who as the home-state senators previously would have had a greater influence over who was nominated because of a long-standing committee tradition known as “blue slips.”
Blackburn, a member of the committee, said the Biden White House’s approach to the process was “insulting.” She said she was not contacted by the White House to set up a meeting between herself and Mathis until Tuesday, when she sent a letter to Durbin about the lack of outreach.
“This is not the kind of good-faith attempt at meaningful consultation that the Constitution requires,” Blackburn said. “Because I was not consulted, no one has asked me what my objections to Mr. Mathis might be.”
If confirmed, Mathis would become the first Black man from Tennessee to sit on the Sixth Circuit.
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Over Lack Of Experience, Sen. Blackburn &Kennedy Grill Biden 6th Circuit Judge Nominee, Andre Mathis