Sinema recommended Judge Desai to the President and later secured robust bipartisan support for Judge Desai’s Senate confirmation
PHOENIX – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema delivered remarks and celebrated Arizonan Roopali Desai’s investiture as a U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Sinema recommended Judge Desai to the President and secured the fastest bipartisan confirmation for a circuit judicial nominee in over 20 years. The investiture ceremony was held at the Sandra Day O’Connor U.S. Courthouse – named after Arizonan Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
“Roopali represents what’s best of America and the qualities needed of a federal judge: hard work, service, and commitment to our Constitution. As I shepherded Roopali’s nomination through the Senate, I highlighted her personal values and professional experience – and ultimately the Senate agreed with me, earning overwhelming bipartisan support for her confirmation,” said Sinema.
One of Sinema’s constitutional duties as a U.S. Senator is to provide advice and consent to the President on judicial nominees. Following her constitutional responsibility, Sinema devised a three-part test where she evaluates every judicial nominee on whether they are professionally qualified, believe in the role of an independent judiciary, and can be entrusted to fairly apply and interpret the laws as they exist.
During her remarks, Sinema highlighted how Judge Desai passed this test with top marks and personally vouched for the Judge’s integrity, personal values, intellect, and deep respect for the law. Sinema underscored Judge Desai’s legal and non-legal work – specifically her volunteer work helping feed families and children facing food insecurity.
Sinema secured robust bipartisan support for Judge Desai’s Senate confirmation (67-29) – making it the fastest circuit confirmation with the most bipartisan support in over 20 years. Following the Senate’s strong bipartisan vote, Sinema celebrated Judge Desai’s historic confirmation.
In July, Sinema introduced Judge Desai to the Senate Judiciary Committee – personally attesting to the Judge’s wealth of legal experience, Arizona roots, volunteer work, and national recognition as one of USA Today’s 2022 Women of the Year.