Transcripts For CSPAN3 Confirmation Hearing For U.S. Archivist 20221116

Omar can be hard but squatting in a gun for internet work is harder. Thats why were providing lower income students access to affordable internet, so homework can just be homework. Cox connect to compete. Cox, along with these other television providers, giving you a front row seat to democracy. Next, a confirmation hearing for judicial nominees and President Bidens pick to head the National Archives and records administration. If confirmed, collie shogan be the first woman to serve as archivist of the United States. She was asked about transparency within the agency, and the fbi search for documents and former president Donald Trumps florida home. The national arc i and the committee will come to order. The National Archives and records administration, often show and to the National Archives is responsible for adequately maintaining and preserving the president ial and federal records. Activities or holdi ng the executive branch these workers are not only essential to communicate a government activities or holding the executive branch accountable, they are critical to ensuring that our nations history is full inaccurately preserved for future generations. The National Archives preserves some of our nations most fundamental documents. Like the u. S. Constitution and the declaration of independence, as well as letters, photographs, newspapers, and congressional papers that tell the story of the United States from its earliest days until today. The National Archives also protects and provides access to critical records and documents for the public to use from struggle documents to Educational Resources and most importantly, for veterans and Service Members who need military personnel records to access the benefits that they have earned and deserve through their services. Preserving all these important records is a significant undertaking and it requires qualified, independent, nonpartisan leadership that is committed to serving in the best interest of the American People. Dr. Shogren, if confirmed you will not only oversee the National Archives responsibility to preserve these essential documents, you also face several challenges. Including antiquated resources and technology, the rapid proliferation of electronic records, extensive backlogs from veterans requests, and that need to ensure that all records from every president and federal agency are completely and adequately preserved. And im confident that congress can take the nationalist very stuff to help address these challenge. And modernize the governments Record Keeping processes, and restore transparency and access for all americans. As chairman of this committee, im working to build support for legislation that im drafting that will strengthen existing laws, acting regulations, and modernize record you can process used to incorporate emerging technologies. We held a hearing on this issue earlier this year, as well. And i look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to build on these efforts to protect the public record. Dr. Shogren, i am pleased to welcome you here today to discuss her nomination to serve in this very important role. And how we can better Work Together to achieve these titles. Not only are you extremely well qualified for this position. In our meetings about your nomination you demonstrated keen judgment, nonpartisan independents, and the necessary capabilities to succeed in this challenging role. Your nomination is also historic. And once confirmed will be the first woman to serve as the archivist of the United States. Congratulations on your nomination, i look forward to hearing more from you today. Today we are also considering for nominees to serve as judges for the district of Columbia Court of appeals and d. C. Superior court. These nominees are a jaishankar to be the associate judge on the d. C. Court of appeals. Hillary cain, brought it to sanchez to be associate judges on the d. C. Superior court. I am pleased to have these highly qualified nominees sit before us today. Each with a longstanding commitment to public service. The d. C. Superior court and d. C. Court of appeals function of the state level trial and Appellate Courts within the unique Justice System here in the nations capital. Both courts are responsible for large volumes of cases each year, on the National Center for state courts report that you see superior court files approximately 83,000 new cases across five divisions each year. One of the highest per capita rates in the entire country. Despite this enormous caseload, both courts are suffering from expensive jet to vacancies which have delayed resources for parties before the court, and house increased the workload for judges. If confirmed, youre not only take on these case loads but determined matters that impact the freedom, livelihoods, and families of many people who will come for you. Todays hearing is an import opportunity for this committee to learn more about qualifications and how you plan to serve. So one of each of you as well as your family members who are joining you here today, i thank you very willingness to serve. We look forward to hearing from all of you today. The acting Ranking Member james lankford, you are now recognized for your opening comments. Chairman peter, send you very much. Thank you all in this hearing you all have extensive backgrounds, extensive experience. This is not a fun process to be able to go through for any one of your familys something youre still bring up to be able to engage agree or disagree on this. It is a difficult process for any american to go through this very real public service. So the four young age men. Traditionally nominations hearings archivist, representatives and judicial nominations are quote quite frankly a sleepy hearing as we walk through the different issues. Obviously there are some new issues that have arisen. The position of the archivist, dr. Shogren and i have had this conversation recently as yesterday, on the bra proper her notation. Our cairo store archivist. And since she prefers the term archivist, and she is being nominated for the position we will stick with her pronunciation. But the vision of the archivist, its typically when it is a non partisan position that theres not a lot of attention to. But there are two new issues that are fairly recent that have drawn a lot of attention to the National Archives on this. I want to be able to mention both of those. The federal courts and the office of Legal Counsel Department Justice of all both been very clear on the equal rights amendment. That amendment went through the process constitutionally and have an expiration on it. But for whatever reason there were some activists that arena reason ive been declared that the activist can unilaterally declare that part of the constitution. The former archivist statement that the National Archives refers to the Department Justice on this issue, will abide by the offset Legal Counsel unless there was directed by a final court order over this past year that has still put the National Archives at the center of that controversy. And so, today is the day that we need to go to clarify as well where the National Archives will continue to be able to move forward with the statutes in the law and how to khoshal possess works. Theres also obviously been an issue on the returning of the president ial records which escalated to the point that the personal residence of former President Donald Trump research by the fbi. That acts that unprecedented step that was an initial request of the National Archives for records. The search was carried out by the fbi. There has been a lot of questions about how that happened, what was the request, what requests for accepted night. This is something that senators got a i have both written a letter to the chairman to try to get some sort of briefing on this. There was a briefing that then happened on what happened since the maralago rage. But there still hasnt been information from the National Archives on what is actually occurred, what led to that moment. It is a very unprecedented moment. Obviously the current nominee was not the archivist at that point candidates are the questions from before, but there was so be a lot of questions about transparency and what occurs for an agency, not an entity, that is defensible for Holding Record to make this records publicly available. One of the questions we will have is what was the process leading up to this. Search. And are those records going to be made publicly available like every other record is publicly available through the National Archives . Turning to the District Of Columbia, think again for engaging this. All you have extensive background in the law, and i look forward to the questions on the issues on this. You are walking into a time where we absolutely need additional judges in the District Of Columbia, and we need folks that are gonna be able to simply follow the law on this. Theres also an ongoing conversation that the chairman and i have had on this as well. Working with the mayor of d. C. Because months ago five proving children, their remains were taken in by d. C. Metropolitan police. They were recovered. They were very late term and they were identified to be connected to washington surgery clinic. The District Of Columbia, partial birth abortions are illegal. Link me are ever else in the country. These children had every appearance of being victims of a partial birth abortion. So we have them careful questions of the District Of Columbia saying how reinvestigating this, what is the process when you discover this kind of action is taking place in the District Of Columbia. We have engaged with the mayor to try to get answers to questions on this, and what theyre actually doing to build a followthrough. But is that the Mayors Office and simply responded that they are going after the whistleblower in this case. And they are turning the whistle polar instead of actually investigating the death of these children. And so were asking very straightforward questions it will continue to build as a straightforward questions. And we want to get answers from the Mayors Office. What is the plan in the days ahead when you discover the possibility about there is a crime being committed in the District Of Columbia. Obviously all of you will want to be here in cases it will be very difficult emotional cases like that in the days ahead. And so i am going to continue to press this issue and continue to press the Mayors Office to be able to be engaged. In the meantime, im going to continue to work on our nominees and the process to get through suing the mayor is gonna be responsive at some point and continue to use the only leverage that i have in the meantime to be able to have a response in nature. St want as it does ever us in the country. We just want consistency and enforcement of the law. I think its a fairly reasonable request to work through, it will be having that dialogue. Mister chairman, thank you for holding the hearing. These are important people to engage with. I appreciate the dialogue and answering questions. Thank you senator lankford. Its the practice of the home on security and government each of you please stand and raise your right hand. You swear the testimony you will get before the committee will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you god . I do. You may be seated. We will have an introduction for dr. Shogren, but we are waiting for colleagues to show appear, shes in a hearing right now. I will start with our d. C. Judges. Our first nominee is, deputy chief of the at United States department of justice in senior litigation counsel detailed in the criminal divisions fraud section. In his role, he investigates and prosecutes violations of the foreign corrupt practices act and advises attorneys and leadership on a range of legal issues and litigation matters. Previously, mr. Shank or served in the first the senior counsel and then as acting deputy chief of staff as counsel to this is the attorney general. Mr. Shanker has been awarded the assistant attorney general marshall award and the assistant attorney general award for distinguished service. Mr. Checker, welcome to your committee, and you can proceed with opening remarks. Thank you, good morning chairman peters, Ranking Member portman and members of the committee, i am honored and humbled to appear before you today, as you consider my nomination to be an associate judge of the assistant court of appeals. I thank you and your entire staff for holding this hearing. Thank you to the judicial nominee commission and its terror judge emmet solomon forrest gump enemy to the white house. I think president joseph biden for nominated me, i was extremely grateful when asked first nominated in 2020, and i am honored to have been nominated again this year. Of course, i am grateful to chief judge blackburn rigsby and theseseat judges at the d. C. Court of appeals. I would be honored to join them and their service to the people of the district. I can go no further without recognizing my true partner in life, de martin. The has been such an important part of this process and has been to be a phenomenal attorney in her own right. For over 20 years, the end i, perhaps none of which is more important than raising our amazing daughter who has made us proud every day of her 14 years. Thank you to my wonderful parents who unfortunately could not travel to be here today. They came to this country with a little money and no support, settled and ohio and your cars sleep with a single providing my sisters and me with every opportunity to good. Think you also to my sisters, brother in law and niece and to my wifes family who welcome me into their lives the very first day i met them. There is not enough time today to thank all the people who have supported me in my professional life, but i must name too, the honorable chester jays trout who had the privilege to serve as a law clerk and patty my boss with most of the past 17 years who is here today. They both truly epitomize public service. For almost two decades, its been my privilege to serve the nation as a career attorney in the department of justice. In that time, i have gained a deep understanding of appellate law and practice, having argued almost 60 cases and having appeared in every federal Court Appeals criminal jurisdiction. I have been trusted with some of the departments most challenging cases across subject matter areas and have been honored with the departments John Marshall award for the handling of appeals. Before joining the department, i had a broad base mitigation practices to national law firms, where i gained valuable experience in civil administrative, antitrust criminal law. As i mentioned, i also had the Great Fortune to begin my legal career as a law clerk to judge chester strobe on the United States court of appeal for the second circuit, where i learned about the value of preparation, meticulous this, civility and collegiality. Public service is a passion to me, and i find myself orchard enough to be confirmed and commit to ensuring that every party permit for me has heard, respected and given the opportunity to meaningfully participate in judicial process. To applying the law and partially and to striving every day to earn the respect of my colleagues and my community. Thank you again for the opportunity to appear before you today. I look forward to your questions. Thank you, mister shanker. Our next nominee is laura crane, she served as the assistant attorney for the District Of Columbia since 2014. It is a deputy chief and the Violent Crimes and narcotics trafficking section. Miss currency provides is handling the investigation and prosecution of complex federal cases targeting violence and narcotics trafficking in the district. She also prosecuted violent criminal matters in the prior to joining the u. S. Attorneys office, miss crane served as the senior associate and litigation associate of private practice, where she received an award in recognition for her Outstanding Pro Bono Service throughout the legal its a saudi. Miss crane, welcome to our committee, you may proceed with opening remarks. Thank you, mister chairman and members of the committee, it is an honor and privilege to be here today. I am grateful for the opportunity to appear before you, as you consider by nomination for associate judge of the spear court for District Of Columbia. There are many people are like to thank the day. First, i extend my thanks to each of the members of the committee to the Committee Staff are considering the application. I further extend my appreciation to the Judicial Nomination Commission and its stare, and g sullivan, for their service on the commission. I extend my humble thank you to President Biden for nominating me to serve the people of the district of in this capacity. I struggled to find words to express my deep appreciation for the support of my colleagues, family and friends, many of whom are here today, who have been supporting me throughout the journey. And particular, i want to thank the current and former leadership of the unites us ron mentioned, vince coleman, Jenny Phillips and jesse lu. I also think my colleagues in the u. S. Attorneys office who i learned so much from. I reserve special thanks to my friends and family who have supported me throughout the process and the many years leading up to this. My parents path and carroll are here today. The child here from upstate new york to extend their and faltering support serve as an example of hard work, kindness and humility. My brother to andrew and sister laura above here today, but the foot dedicate their careers to public service, as an attorney and educator. I moved to the District Of Columbia after graduating from the university of st. Louis. I had an opportunity to begin mightily your career behind the dedicated and accomplished department of justice. Iran cases seeking to ensure that individuals with disabilities were seeking services in integrated settings. After moving to your city for a private practice, i returned to the district for a clerkship of the u. S. District court of the District Of Columbia. During my clerkship, i spent countless hours observing core proceedings and hoping one day, i would have an opportunity to practice like to advocate to appear before judge boast burke. That jim became everybody when i joined the u. S. Attorneys office, where had the privilege to serve citizens of the District Of Columbia in both superior court and discord for the past eight years, trying 60 cases and working on 100 investigations. Since joining the u. S. Attorneys office, i peeled in court on a daily or near daily basis and observe firsthand qualities them in for an exceptional judge, humility, hard work and the application of the law to the facts without favor or violence. If given the opportunity to serve in the bunch, i will honor these principles. Thank you again for considered nomination, the floor to answering any questions you might have. Thank you, miss current. Well take a break from hearing from hearing our wonderful nominees at the court. To hear from our colleague, Shelley Shelley moore capito from West Virginia, you can introduce the nominees. This is a real pleasure for me, and i want to thank the chairman and Ranking Member lankford for allowing me to be here and talk about somebody i have great admiration for. The National Archives is a treasured institution. It has so many of our nations treasures the archives at the men and women, the other caretakers not just of objects and the documents both of the ideas and the inspirations that emanate from the. The mission of the archives is not just to preserve our history but to educate and inform our future. Im here today to introduce to you to a friend of mine, dr. Colleen shogan. She is the nominee to be the archivist of the United States. I believe her to be a person who will honor the past, who while leading the institution into the future. Ive known her personally and professionally for several years. Im here to speak of her qualifications and background for the role that she has been nominated. Shes a long career of public service, working in the senate at the Congressional Research service, at the library of congress and now the White House Historical society. An addition to her professional experience, she is a publish offer. I would recommend her books. Shes a mystery murder author, very good and very exciting to read because theyre all on capitol hill but to me, her most notable accomplishment is that shes married to a West Virginia and good friend of mine, rob rafferty. Thats actually how i got to meet her. I worked closely with dr. Shogren a few years ago on an issue that is close to so many peoples hearts here in congress and thats making reports were in by the Congressional Research Service Public to the American People, so transparency is something that she is very dedicated to the procedural and technological challenges apollon is off, where greater than folks truly imagine. It was the right thing to do, and now there are reports that are paid for by the taxpayers are available to the taxpayers thanks to her artwork. She is the knowledge, experience, energy and depth of dedication to serve in this role. I believe she would serve a very well, and i am very happy today to introduce or to this committee, and i did not see the Ranking Member down there, senator portman, we talked about this. I certainly am planning to vote for her when i get the chance, and i thank all of you for the opportunity to have her here before you today, congratulations. Thank you, senator. Thank you senator, capito. We were glad we are able to have you come by. Have a wonderful day. Dr. Shogren, you may proceed, thank you for being here, and you may proceed with the opening remarks. Thank you, chairman peters, Ranking Member portman and distinguished members of the committee, good morning, my name is dr. Colleen chauvin, and my nomination to serve as the 11th archivists of the United States is indeed the honor of a lifetime. I am likewise humbled by the opportunity to serve as the first woman nominated in the role. Before i continue, i would like to thank my husband rob for being here today. He has consistently supported my career, and i know this will continue if i am confirmed as the archivist. My family, including my 89yearold father watching today from western pennsylvania and my brother watching from texas, has been instrumental in my success. I must admit that this Committee Room is quite familiar to me. Over 15 years ago, i attended meetings here as a congressional staffer. I never imagined that i would be sitting on this side of the dais where a confirmation hearing. My passion for the american story starts in the Public High School i tended outside pittsburgh, with engaging teachers who taught in United States history and government, as a First Generation College student, in my family, i was fortunate enough to receive the first class education, which allowed me to explore the development and evolution of american ideas and institutions. By reverence for democratic principles ideals and governance led me to a career that included positions in academia, federal Government Service and nonprofit management. Following my service in the senate, i spent over a decade directly supporting congress, as a Senior Leader at the Congressional Research service and the library of congress. I also served as the vice chair of the womens Suffrage Centennial commission, which commemorated the anniversary of the 19th amendment without provision ship. These provisions, including the ones i want at the White House Historical association, have instill tremendous values of non partisanship and access through trusted sources. I am confident that my years of experience and these unique roles have prepared me well to serve as the archivist of United States. The National Archives and records administration, often known as an era, preserves the Building Blocks of our nations democracy. Narrow does this by enabling access to the government records which tell our National Story and the words and images of the people who made history. This is critical for several reasons. First, it provides citizens with answers about family heritage, military service and governmental decisions. Citizen engagement with our cars materials online and inperson to our nation wide system of Archival Research rooms and president ial libraries, is a top priority for an era. The National Archives also provides researchers historians, genealogy, educators, students and other stakeholders with trusted information about our service. And my own research, ive benefited from examining narrows records. As a political scientist, i strongly believe that we cannot understand our nations president condition without a comprehensive understanding of the paths that brought us here. Along with our other federal cultural institutions, narrow secures the repository of knowledge that enables such understanding for scholars and citizens alike. Additionally, the National Archives provides vital Records Management services and guidance to all three branches of government, and is leading the Government Watch insertion to electronic Record Keeping. Most importantly, there are safeguards government records and public trust to enable citizens such as veterans claim their rights to hold government accountable and to participate in the process. If confirmed, i will have many hills to climb in this position. I do not assume these towns lightly. To succeed, we will need to find creative ways to become more efficient, to capitalize on private partnerships and to engage previously underserved communities and meaningful ways. Of course, never must do this as technologies is improved at lightning speed. s government is not always considered nimble when it comes to innovation, but the National Archives can serve as a leader in its transition to its primarily digital feature. This will require investing in the archives talented workforce and making Smart Business decisions that will propel narrow forward. And a private meditation, abraham lincoln, like in the principal decoration of independents to the apple of gold, a phrase contained in the book of proverbs. Lincoln knew it was his task to move the nation towards a more purpose realization of these principles. As the 250th anniversary of our country approaches, this hardware continues. If confirmed, i look forward to sharing a checkup collection of the National Archives with all americans. Thank you. Thank you, dr. Shogren. Our next nominee is leslie meek. Miss meeks received her appointment as an Administrative Law judge with the district of Columbia Office of administrative hearings in june of 2014. Miss meek presides over cases involving rental housing, unemployment compensation, tax and revenue, d. C. Public schools, the d. C. Taxicab commission and the compartment of consumer and regulatory affairs. Before joining the office of administrative hearings, miss meeks served as an initiative logic, an appellate Administrative Law judge with the district of Columbia Department of employment services, administrative hearings division. There, she adjudicated Worker Compensation cases for over eight years. Miss meek, welcome to our committee, you may proceed with your opening remarks. Thank you, mister chairman. Good morning, chairman peters, Ranking Member portman and members of the committee. Thank you for your time and consideration of my nomination to serve as associate judge on the District Of Columbia superior court. I am honored to be here. I am also honored by president Joseph Bidens nomination of me for the District Of Columbias superior court, and i thank him for it. I am thankful for the members of the Nomination Commission and its tear, judge emmett sullivan, for recommending me for the white house. Identical to the support of my family and friends and all the love they share with me, as a Journey Towards this endeavor. I am the proud mother of two wonderful adults, lauren meek, a burgeoning artists in new york city and kendrick junior, a law student at the university of miami. Throughout this process, they have been tremendous motivators with kind and generous encouragement. I could not have asked for better children or cheerleaders. I am a first generation american, born to parents who immigrated to do United States of america. It was their intention to come to this country and live the american dream, and i am the personification of the streams. My mother, lowest, always give me the space to aim high and the support to accomplish my goals. She is my heart, and i thank her for her enduring support, her prayers and her faith to me. I am thankful to my late grandmother, butler james, who did not have the privilege of attending college herself, but seemingly every day of my young life, and press the palm of the importance of an education. I am thankful to my late father, harold dickson, who taught me by a simple how determination, focus and industry can overcome obstacles. I think my late mother in law, former congresswoman, carolyn meek, for all that she taught me, her friendship and her love. Carrie frequently shared her philosophy to be a true public servant, you have to love people. Recalling this mantra reminds me that i am right on track. I think my figure friend oscar wright who hosted by me and supported me through this process. I am currently an Administrative Law judge with the District Of Columbia government. During the last 16 years, i have successfully served the district as both an Administrative Law judge and administrative appeals judge. In that time, i have adjudicated 7000 cases concerning a number of entities, including the department of employment services, department health, department of public works, department of energy and environment, department of consumer and regulatory affairs, offers of tax revenue, and the department of transportation. My 16 years of judith to cody experience has taught the importance of maintaining respectful and courteous judicial temperament, and should i be fortunate enough to be confirmed, i remain committed to humbly serving the districts residence with on bias, sound and efficient judicial review of the cases that come before me. My legal career began when i was hired out of law school to serve as a prosecutor for the miami date states attorney office. During that time, ive prosecuted criminal cases in the county court. I then served as general counsel to do and served as a prosecuting attorney for the city of miami and the state of florida controls office. And these positions, i litigated civil and labor unemployment law, cases before administrative courts. These experiences honed my litigation skills and prepared me well for my position as a judge. My professional experiences have given me a solid understanding of the role of adjudicator and the importance of ensuring that justice is applied fairly and impartially. I am eager to use my skills to serve the District Of Columbia as a superior court associate judge, and i stand ready to answer any of your questions as you consider and trusting me with this very important position. Thank you. Thank you, miss meek. Todays final nominee is veronica sanchez. Mrs. Is a Senior Assistant United States attorney who has served for the past 11 years of the United States Attorneys Office and the District Of Columbia. Currently, she is the chief of the major crimes section in the superior court of the District Of Columbia. In her role, she oversees attorneys responsible for investigating and prosecuting felony Violent Crimes in superior court, including economic crimes. But for serving as chief of the major crimes section, essentially is investigated and prosecuted cases ranging from simple assault to homicide in the superior court. She also served as a Senior Assistant and United States attorney and fraud section, focused on handling financial fraud matters of the u. S. District court for the District Of Columbia. Miss sanchez, welcome to our committee, you may proceed with your opening remarks. It morning, chairman peters, Ranking Member portman and members of the committee, it is an honor and a privilege to appear before you as a nominee to be an associate judge for the superior court of the District Of Columbia. I extend my thanks for each of you and your dedicated Committee Staff for all of your hard work that has gone into considering my nomination. A little selective and the District Of Columbia, Judicial Nomination Commission and its chair, the honorable emmett sullivan, for recommending me to the white house. I am thankful to president joseph biden for nominating me to this position. I must also think the current u. S. Attorney for the District Of Columbia, Matthew Graves and former u. S. Attorneys chanting philips, jesse lu, ramy chen and Vincent Cohen for their support and guidance throughout my career as a prosecutor. I also think my current and former colleagues for the United States Attorneys Office. It is an honor to work with all of you. I reserve special thanks for the people of my life who are here because they love and support me in my home, my work and my community. My husband is here today, hes my best friend, my partner in life and my biggest advocate. Thank you for your encouragement and support of all my personal and professional endeavors. I want to take a moment to thank my two children for their patience and support during times when they have had to share their time with me due to the demands of my job. I love you both. My father is here today, while my mother and my brother watch and support me from south florida and texas. I was born in nicaragua. I was fortunate to come to the tented states a few months before my eighth birthday. My parents came to this country seeking a Better Future for their children. I would not be here today without the many sacrifices made by my parents who taught me for the words and their actions the values of hard work, integrity, fairness and service. I also want to thank the rest of my family and friends from all over the country for their support and prayers throughout this process. I have dedicated my career to public service, hoping to get back to the country that has afforded me and so many others the opportunity to turn dreams into reality, i began my legal career by clerking for the honorable edward c read for the United States District Court for the district on the beta. I also had the honor of clerking for the honorable brady for the u. S. Court of appeals for the ninth circuit. I moved to the District Of Columbia and 2002, after joining the department of justice annas program with the antitrust division. I spent six years as a Trial Attorney in the antitrust of vision, handling civil antitrust matters prior to joining the u. S. Attorneys office for the District Of Columbia. Since 2009, i have served as an assistant in isis attorney at the u. S. Attorneys office for the District Of Columbia, where i have handled a wide range of criminal cases, on behalf of the United States. I have handled over 20 trials in superior court and have investigated and prosecuted misdemeanors, felonies, homicides and fraud matters. Throughout my legal career, i have sought to uphold the law and the values of fairness and justice. If i am confirmed, it will both be an honor and privilege to continue to serve the residents of the District Of Columbia as an associate judge in disappear court. Thank you again for the opportunity to appear before. You look forward to answer your questions. Thank you, miss sanchez. There are three questions that the committee ask of every nominee, and i will ask each of you to respond briefly with just a yes or no. Dr. Shogren, well start with you and work down the table for each of these questions. First, is there anything you are aware of in your background that might present a conflict of interest with the duties of the office to which you have been nominated . No. No. No. No. No. Second, do you know of anything personal or otherwise that would in anyway prevent you from fully and honorably discharging responsibilities of the office to which you have been nominated . No. No. No. No. No. And lastly, do you agree without reservation to comply with any requests or summons to appear and testify before any duly constituted committee of congress if you are confirmed . Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. All right, thank you. Dr. Shogren, you have a big job ahead of you, and its important for the committee to hear from you. How do you view the role of narrow ensuring compliance with the records laws and several records laws we have across federal government . Thank you, mister chairman, for that question. The National Archives leads the federal government in the records retention policies and procedures and, in particular, relies upon federal agencies that supply those records to provide the National Archives with paper records at this point in time, digital records, so that the repository of our nation story can be complete. As archivists, what specifically do you plan to do to improve the federal records preservation process that we currently have . Yes, thank you, mister chairman, for that question. I think that the major challenge for the National Archives Going Forward will be the transition from a primarily analog or paper repository to a primarily digital repository, and one that does happen, when the records not to come from federal agencies and that digital format, not the analytic form, there will be a lot of work and communication with federal agencies so that those records come to the National Archives in the right for and with the right information and descriptive data, so that the rockets could be useful and available to the American People. Clearly, a big undertaking to make those kinds of changes plus to go back and digitize a awful lot of records that have already been placed there in a paper for. Do you believe that nora has the resources it needs to meet this challenge . And specifically, what sort of technological needs to anticipate requesting in the future . Thank you, mister chairman for that question. I think the resources at the National Archives can be a challenge. Of course, all federal agencies have to work efficiently and effectively with the tests that are ahead for the National Archives if i am confirmed as archivist the United States. I plan to support a set of common sense proposals that will enable the National Archives to transition into its digital future. As i understand a, right now, mister chairman, there is the development of a new Technology System that will enable the receipt of all digital records records that have been digitized, and that Technology System, i can say is being built in an innovative way, called agile development, and i was happy when i heard that, because that means that it can be built stepbystep process. Of course, if i am confirmed as archivists of the u. S. , i look forward to working with the development of the party system, so it can really be the guidepost for narrows future. As i mentioned in my opening comments, veterans record requests are high. There is a huge backlog, and we certainly all the men and women who served us with honor and distinction with the ability to get those records in the timely way to excess benefits that they have earned and other needs for those records. As archivists, how do you plan to work to reduce this considerable backlog and tell the committee how you view this as a priority if confirmed . Thank you, mister chairman for that question. I view this as the most important discreet problem facing, if i am confirmed, as archivist that the United States. The backlog has been reduced considerably, down from 600,000 requests, down to about 440,000 requests. This issue is very personable for me. I have many veterans in my family, so i understand its importance. I also know that staff at the npr sea in st. Louis has been working tirelessly since march to reduce this backlog. If i am confirmed as archivists of the United States, it will be my priority after confirmation to make a trip to st. Louis, my first trip as archivists of the nice, i want to get there on the ground, meet the leadership of the npr sea, meet the talented staff of the npr sea and come up with a sensible plan of how we can reduce this backlog at a faster pace. Dr. Shogren, do you believe that nora has a role in promoting transparency and Public Access of records . Thank you for that question, mister chairman. Yes, i do. What will you do as an archivist to improve Public Access . Thank you for that question. I think that transparency and access is really intertwined with digital. You can access the records at the National Archives in a number of. Ice first, you can come and visit the National Archives here in washington d. C. To view our founding documents and see some of the records in person. If youre a researcher, you can visit one of the over 30 Archival Research rooms all across the United States and engage the records in a very meaningful way but most americans are probably going to interact with the records of the National Archive do digital means, online to the archives catalog. Thats why the digital feature is extraordinarily important for the National Archives. Right now, theres about 200 million digitized copies of records in the catalog, which makes it the largest digital archive in the world, and as i understand it, the archives is planning to go to 500 million digital copies by 2026. If i am confirmed, i will make sure that we hit that mark and hopefully exceed it. Thank you, dr. Shogren, for your responses. Documentary portman, you are recognized for your questions. He has deferred. Our acting Ranking Members deferred to the Ranking Member, because we understand youre on a tight schedule. Senator lankford is being very gracious. First off, thank you mr. Chairman and mr. Lankford for making me ranking today. Lankford is the chair of the subcommittee on the sea that i am diverting him with regard to these d. C. Judge hearings. I do think these roles need to be filled, and i think the four distinguished lawyers before us this morning who stepped forward to fill those roles. I normally ask questions about the criminal Justice System in d. C. Because the crime wave is a huge concern of all of ours. I wont have time to get into that attack today but assumed all four of you agreed to part of your role is to ensure that cases are brought and handled and backlogs are dealt with so that we can have a safer d. C. Community. Dr. Shogren, i want to give you a chance to explain some of your previous statements in some of your record, the law as you know requires the archivist to be appointed without regard to political affiliation. In in 2007, you wrote an article entitled, anti intellectualism in the modern presidency and populism that focuses on Ronald Reagan and george w. Bush. In a, you state that republicans tend to exhibit anti intellectual qualities, and democrats hold the intellectual tale of the continuum. Would you please explain your views on this and what you mean by that . Thank you, Ranking Member portman for the question. As you stated, the article was were in 16 or 17 years ago. It was an academic article, and in the article, i was trying to explain how certain president s very effectively do their rhetoric were able to communicate with everyday americans. Again, youre being nominated as a non partisan National Archivist among other roles at the National Archives and records administration, the president ial library for republicans and democrats alike. Given that you have written about some of these republican president s in a negative way, for example, saying that Ronald Reagan had, quote, less than impressive intellectual capabilities, and quote, and that, quote, it was widely accepted that george w. Bush was less intelligent than his challenger al gore, and quote. How can we be assured that you will serve effectively in this nonpartisan role . Thank you, Ranking Member portman for the question. I stand strongly on my 15 years of non partisan Government Service at the Congressional Research service, at the library of congress and at the White House Historical association which i joined in 2019 when President Trump was president of the night states, worked very effectively with President Trumps white house, as he served as president of the United States and continue to do so under President Bidens administration. Also at the White House Historical association, we have members of the board who are representatives from both republican and democratic administrations. I work very effectively with that board of directors. With regard to january six, in response to a tweet from a Political Science professor was stated, Political Science said this would happen, we are not smart about it. Either you tweeted back, and i quote, i wrote about it in 2007, i wvva i observed with the precursor, and you included a link to the republican anti intellectualism article we talk about a moment ago. I just want to give you a chance to explain this. It would appear to me that you are saying that because he believed republican president s like george w. Bush, who i worked with, as you know, tend to exhibit anti intellectual qualities and or because you believe he was less intelligent than his opponent, outdoor, that these are the precursor somehow to the events of january six, which george w. Bush condemned and the strongest terms possible. Thank you Ranking Member portman for the question. And no way shape or possible to i think that president bush is inferior intellectually or less intelligent, that is not the purpose of the article, its not stated in the article. I was very clear that he was well suited for the presidency, and that is stated in the article. Okay, so the quote that i had that said it was widely accepted that pushes less than thousand dentist charger anger was not your quote . Thank you for the question, Ranking Member portman. That was a characterization, but once again, i want to say that i stand by my statement that this was a article about president bush in his rhetorical abilities to be able to communicate common sense, principles to everyday americans. You do a lot of tweets about President Trump. You mention that you served under him essentially when you are at the historical society. Heres one on january 5th, 2020, which says isnt the next move a self pardon . Self pardon would imply criminality. If confirmed, you would have to work with the former president s staff, and how can you be confident that youd be able to work effectively with former President Trump stuff . Thank you for that question, Ranking Member portman. I am confident that i would be able to work with President Trump and his staff. I have worked with him in the past, as you noted at the White House Historical association. Also in my capacity as the vice chair of the women Suffrage Centennial commission, which was entirely conducted during the trump presidency, and we worked very effectively with President Trump, mrs. Trump and the way astern that celebration to i think really benefit the American People. Dr. Shogren, there is a january 2020 memo from the trump justice department, which concluded that the equal rights amendment adoption cannot be certified because not enough states have an ratified the amendment prior to the relevant deadline, set by congress. Shortly thereafter, the National Archives press release would abide by the opinion, unless other rhetoric that by a final quarter. A january 2022 memo by the Biden Justice department stated that congress was entitled to take a different view on that. But did not modify the conclusion of the january 2020 memo. Yes, thank you for the question, senator. Yes, i would. And as a National Archives personally stated, what a court order you to certify the agreement the on the circumstances yes, thank you for that question. I think the only who will decide the fate of the e. R. A. Is the federal judiciary and congress. There are members of congress and Interest Groups who believe the archivist has the authority to certify the equal rights amendment, im sure youre well aware of that. How would you respond to their calls to certify the amendment . Thank you for that question. The archivist serves and a capacity in a nonpartisan, a political capacity, and i vow if i am confirmed as archivist to serve in that fashion. Thank you, dr. Shogren. Thank you, mister chairman. Thank you, Ranking Member portman. Acting member lankford, thank you for your they ship the community. Thank you to all the Witnesses Today for the process. I do want to follow up on what Ranking Member portman was calling on the equal rights amendment. Dr. Shogren, during your process and your consideration as a nominee, did anyone for the Biden Administration ask you about your stand on the e. R. A. And what your position was on that, the approval process and if so, what was a conversation . Thank you, senator, for that question. I was not asked that question during the process. Okay, thank you for your clear statements both to our staff in writing and to senator portman that the issue with the e. R. A. Eted by the federal court or by congress, not by the archivists, or the archivists as you say on it, either way. We want to make that very clear because obviously, there are members of congress that have disagreement on the. The previous archivist disagreed and said this is not the role of the archivists. You obviously agreed with the public, and i appreciate your engagement on the. You and i have spoken before about a warning label that is currently on our founding documents that is actually on every document, as digitized in the National Archives, and the consideration it warns americans of anyone reading documents that there are potentially harmful content, that this content could be offensive to individuals, whether its the nicest constitution or whether its autopsy photos from world war ii, it does not matter, its not every time. As that one piece on the banner on it. My question to you in our conversation was, and i dont want to be misunderstood in a way, that the National Archives could consider the United States constitution a potentially offensive document, which clearly, its a founding document, its not offensive. There are events in our history that all of us as americans look back on and are embarrassed who we were as americans and decisions we have made. We dont always get it right over our history, but we are working to make a more perfect union. All of our history is our history. The important thing to me is, theres never a warning on a civil document, and that we reconsider labeling some of our documents offensive when theyre just our history on this. You and i spoke about this before, by challenges to be able to review that warning, to be able to determine what is the best way to do it, whats appropriate to be able to give to parents to say if your children are looking at all these things, there are photos that are gruesome photos from world war ii. For instance, at the battlefield, the civil war, theyre painful to view, especially as a child, but there are Important National documents here. How do you plan to handle this offensive label and this morning . Yes, senator, thank you for that question. You are correct. When there is a search done in the archives, the online archives catalog, there is language that makes users aware that they may inadvertently come across content that could be difficult to view. As we talked about yesterday in your office, i am primarily concerned, if confirmed as archivists, i want more teachers and students sees the National Archives. If you have to do a history project on world war ii or world war i, we want you to come to the National Archives and use that catalog to find this primary sources. As you know, kids are excellent searches today, the better searchers than we are, so one day look for those relevant documents, they can easily jump to Something Else inadvertently, and that why is that which is there. As we talked about is today, i am absolutely willing to come in and talk to you about that language, and we can review it together and move forward. Thank you, as you and i both know, being around teenagers, all you have to do is put a warning that this could be offensive, and that makes a stem search it more, as you also know. Thats another issue we need to evaluate, and just to evaluate what the effectiveness of this is to have a warning label on it, if that is accomplishment anything on it, other than being a distraction. You and i also spoke about the rate that happen at maralago, a former President Trumps private residence angling to those documents. In an unusual situation, it is not just the fbi carrying out the rate, but it was a request of the National Archives to be able to engage with these records and should get something with the fbi. Typically, this would be a voluntary composition. Its my understanding that you had dialogue with our staff to say, all of your preferences in any disagreements at this document, there should be a voluntary conversation rather than a legal conversation or rate. A rate of a former president s houses unprecedented, and it puts the entire process unfold display to be able to say, how does this happen . Why does this happen . Everyone gets questions on it. My first question is, should this be a voluntary cooperation rather than a legal raid with a search warrant coming into a private residence . Thank you, senator, for that question. I want to be clear that as the nominee for this position, i have not been briefed on any of the details of what has happened, so i have no information about those decisions or the sequence of events. But as i understand it, when there is some concern about missing or damaged records in general at the National Archives, at that point in time, the records to retrieve the records, there is a voluntary exchange of communication with dozens of vigils, and as i understand it, once again, i dont have any pass knowledge of this, the vast majority of the time, the records are recovered emma truth. This is unprecedented for a former president , obviously, to be able to go to this. The reason i ask you is because that is now sent a new precedent that Going Forward, this is going to be a new standard for every president at this. So, this starts a different process that were trying to evaluate. The second part of my question on this is, this is the National Archives. The keeper of all records on this, now the email chains, the conversations, any notes that were done for the National Archives and our communication with the fbi about this, now become National Historical records and are not only important to be able to maintain and protect but also for the visibility of this committee as well, the reason that senator scott and i both reach out to the committee to be able to say we, need to be able to talk about this because there is something entirely new that was just created by the National Archives in the fbi and searching the former president s house. Will you agree in the future to making records available at the National Archives to be able to show what the process was in the decisionmaking was to be able to reach this point, so that we have Greater Transparency for the American People . Yes, thank you, senator for the question. Yes, i believe that transparency with this committee, i want to be responsive to requests if i am confirmed as archivists of the United States. Once again, i do want to state, i dont know where we are in this department of justice Law Enforcement process, but as a general statement, senator, you have my commitment that i will work with you and members of this committee to be as transparent as possible. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, senator lankford. Senator hawley, youre recognized for your questions. Thank you, very much, mister chairman. Let me start with you, shogan, if i could. You have talked throughout your todays hearing so far and in your prehearing q a about how much its importance to be a nonpartisan leader, is that correct . Yes, senator. If youre confirmed, you will attempt to stay politically neutral and your decisionmaking, is that fair to say . Yes, senator. Your characterization of use, i should say. Yes, thats correct. I was troubled by this article you wrote, that senator portman asked about a minute ago. Published by the Political Science association, anti intellectualism and the modern presidency. Republican populism published in june of 2007. You consider this piece to be nonpartisan . Thank you, senator, for that question. I consider to be an academic article publication of 16, 17 years ago, a scholarly piece. Lets take into a little bit. You write in your paper that to combat allegations of leeism, recent republican president s have adopted and tie it to look toism. How would you define anti intellectualism . Thank you senator, for that question. The ability to speak in very plain common sense terms to americans. You say recent republican president s but your case studies are Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan and then coming up to george w. Bush. Whats the point here . You say at one point, republicans tend to exhibit anti intellectual qualities, democrats on the other hand, call us on the intellectual tale of the continuum. So is the point that republicans are stupid, and democrats are intellectual . Yes, thank you, senator, for that question. Absolutely not, the point of the article is that the president s that i featured in it have a rhetorical connection with the American People. Or tickle connection that you say is antiintellectual, and you feature every two term republican president elected since two of our. Yes, senator, i think its a piece on rhetoric, and it is really looking at how these president s have been successful rhetorically in their arguments. Interesting, its a piece on rhetoric, but you attribute part of the anti intellectualism other Republican Party to, in your words, the rise of the religious right. Tell me about that. Is it because voters are stupid . Thank you, senator, for the question. Absolutely not, and if i am confirmed as archivists of the night states, i look forward to welcoming all americans to the National Archives. So, do you think the people that voted for donald trump are anti intellectual . Thank, you senator. I would not make any judgment on the people who voted for President Trump or any other president. So you dont take the people that voted for Dwight Eisenhower or Ronald Reagan or just the anti intellectual rhetoric was because of what, whats your theory . Thank you, senator, for question. As i said, president s are able to speak in common sense, apply terms to americans that they understand. So, you characterize president reagan as having, quote, less than impressive intellectual capacities. You say president eisenhower and bush were decidedly intellectual. You said reagan engaged in intellectual posturing. Lets not be the first one, less than impressive intellectual capacities, in other words, dumb. Thank you, senator, absolutely not, that was a perception, and it was cited. Im sorry, its a perception by whom . He wrote about it. No, senator, as i said, in the article, that is a perception but actually in the article, you say reagans less than impressive intellectual capacities have been widely discussed. Thats presented as a factual statement. You dont even sight for it. This is on page two 98. I have the article, dont dissemble in front of me. Reagans less than impressive intellectual capacities have been widely discussed. Youre not saying that he had does not review . It is not my view. Why did you read it . Thank you, senator. That is not my view. My view was focused on his rhetorical capability. Thats not what your census. Listen, you wrote an article saying basically that the Republican Voters are stupid, that republican president s deliberately appeal to anti intellectuals them. You rolled it all up and republican populism, youre trying to present yourself here as a non partisan. In fact, youre an extreme partisan, and your record shows the. Is someone who is denigrated republican president s every two term republican president since the Second World War and their voters in this lengthy article. I dont understand, if you wrote a, why dont you stand behind it . Thank you, senator, i will stand by my long experience of over 15 years of nonpartisan service. This is not just a theoretical set of questions because as you know, we have seen what happens when you have political activists in the position that you are up for confirmation for, and we are living today as a nation right now. We are living through the weaponization, the political weaponization of National Archives, the political weaponization of a department of justice, the political weaponization of the fbi, such that half of the people of this country cannot trust those institutions. Were living with a president who calls half the voters that this country semifinalists, who have said that they are a threat to democracy. This is an elected american president , who makes these outrageous, outrageous statements. In that environment, frankly, to have you up for confirmation for this position, which has become very politicallycharged in a way i lament, it should not have been, but unfortunately, the pass archivists have done what theyve done. The fbi has done what has done. The doj have done what they have done, and here you are talking about the anti intellectualism and stupidity of american voters. If that is not playing to type, i dont know what the world is. Its basically a self parody. How can you assure me or anybody watching this hearing the millions of americans, 75 million americans who voted for republicans in the last election, how can you share them that you will be truly nonpartisan, given what you had said over a period of years . Thank you, senator, i stand by my record of nonpartisan service at Congressional Research service, the library of congress and at the White House Historical association. And i invite anybody to talk to people that i have worked with for years in my non partisan Government Service. Mister chairman, without objection, over like two and this article of anti intellectualism republican populism into the record. Id invite everybody to read this. You can read the words for yourself, you can read the entire article for yourself and folks who make up their own minds. I think when they do, theyll be disappointed. Im deeply disappointed. Thank you, mister chairman. Thank you, senator hawley. Thank you, mister chairman. Mister chairman, i know you touched on this issue a moment ago. I want to raise it again with you, dr. Shogren. Thats the backlog in military Service Records, veterans across georgia, across the country are deeply frustrated by the interminable delays, accessing their military records, and they need these records for their Va Health Care benefits. They need these records for their employment and education benefits. I introduced last week the bipartisan access for veterans to records act to try to address those backlog, so that veterans in georgia across the country can access the records. If confirmed, will you commit to working with me to eliminate the backlog of military Service Record requests in and prc . Not just to working with me, putting it at the top of your agenda . Yes, thank you senator for the question. It is at the very top of my agenda if i am confirmed as archivists of the United States. In fact, if i am confirmed as archivist, i will make my first trip as archivists of the United States to st. Louis to dm prc so that i can meet once again with the leadership there and the hardworking staff that are attempting to reduce the backlog. There has been great progress made us for, and i look forward to finding Creative Solutions within federal law and regulations in order to reduce that backlog at a faster pace. I appreciate our commitment, dr. Shogren. Making that commitment here today will mean a lot to veterans in georgia, who frankly are skeptical after years of dealing with this that there can be a change, but there must be a change. Veterans deserve timely access to the records. I am going to ask for a further commitment, which is that once you have had the opportunity to meet again with the folks at the and prc and to get your bearings and at first for a five weeks in office, should you be confirmed, that you will timely submit to this committee your assessment of drivers of this backlog and a specific plan to eliminate it. We make that commitment . Yes, thank you senator, i am willing to make that commitment. I will make myself available with what i learned. A further comment on the, obviously, the first thing that has to be done if i am confirmed as archivist is removing the backlog, but there has to be a second step, which is to make sure that backlog is not created in future circumstances. We hope that the pandemic is over but we can never predict what is coming down the road in a future. I believe there has been great progress by department of Veterans Affairs in moving to digitize those records in a timely fashion and in a reasonable priority. Once those workers are digitized and placed in a cloud, then the and prc staff will be able to access them, and i think the requests will be processed much faster in the future. I think theres a good end to the story, if we can get there. Thank you, dr. Shogren. I understand there is a backlog of immigration related records request known as a files managed by norah. Are you familiar this . Yes, senator, i am. Its a briefing document i am not intimately familiar, but i am aware of it. I will ask as well, and we can have our teams Work Together to define a specific deadline for this, but should you be confirmed similarly, once you had the opportunity to assess in detail the nature of the challenge that you will submit to the committee, a proposal for adjusting that back, we make that commitment . Thank you, senator, i am willing to fall off and make that commitment. I appreciate the. You, of course, are familiar with this from your past work. You have some cybersecurity challenges to manage should you be confirmed, particularly, as more records are digitized. How are you thinking about handling the threats to cybersecurity that will percentage selves to the National Archives . Yes, thank you for the question. I am aware that there has been an Inspector General ig report for the National Archives concerning cybersecurity, and i would plan to review that report and find out firsthand what is being done to it to address those issues or concerns and a timely fashion. Okay, well i know that the chairman and members of the committee are deeply concerned with cybersecurity for federal agencies, so please let us know what resources or authority may be hopeful should be confirmed for that mission. Finally, i want to bring to your attention, something that is of deep concern to my constituents in georgia and of particular concern across the american south. That is the disposition of civil rights cold cases. The lynchings, the murders, the abductions that took place in the jim crow era and before in the state of georgia across the south, for which there has never been justice. And the descendants of those who were murdered, who are still crying out for justice. I have introduced the bipartisan civil rights cold case records review board support, and id like your commitment to work with my office, to work with the cold case record review board to make sure every resource at norah available to pursue the truth, and to pursue justice for those who are lynched, for those who are abducted, for those who are assaulted and the state of georgia across the south and across the country and ensure that our quest for justice is not abandon, we make that commitment . Yes, senator. I love ford to working with you enough on this issue if i am confirmed. Thank you dr. Shogren, its really important, and i appreciate your testimony today and the rest of the panel, congratulations for the nomination, and i yield. Thank you, senator. This question is for all our Judicial Court candidates. Well start our nominees, i should say. Lets start with miss sanchez and work down to mr. Shanker. The d. C. Court handles a high volume of cases and vacancies on both the superior and court of appeals. They have without question increased this backlog considerably. My question for each of you, if confirmed how will you manage your caseload efficiently, while also ensuring that everybody who comes before you as a meaningful opportunity to be heard . The sanchez, well start with you. Thank you for the question, senator. As an assistant United States attorney, ive had a lot of experience and a large volume caseload. If i am confirmed as a judge, i would ensure that the parties know the expectations each that is hearing. I will ensure that i am prepared, and i will ensure that i am listening to everything that the parties are saying and reading with a file and also ensure that i reach this its with diligence. Very good. Thank you, senator. I agree with my conominee. I would also like to add that having been an Administrative Law judge for the past 16 years, i have learned the efficiency is greatly important to adjudicating cases. Its important to make sure that all parties are aware of what is expected of them at the beginning of the hearing, and that they expect to be held to those expectations and requirements. Once we have those clear goals set, were able to facilitate the case efficiently and effectively. Thank you. I agree with both my conominees and would add that as a judge, put in all the necessary time and effort to make sure that i am prepared and ready in court each day so that my counter is managed officially. I had the privilege to work for a District Court judge who manages his counter in that way. I think with my experience having practice superior court and familiarity with the d. C. Could, i would quickly resolve matters presented in front of me. Thank you, chairman peters. I am acutely aware of the need to work the backlog d. C. Court system as well as move cases with dispatch, without sacrificing due care and attention. I have a heavy caseload with department of justice. I always prioritized preparation and responsiveness and efficiency. I think that if i were fortunate enough to be confirmed as a judge, i would work to be prepared to apply strict standards for extensions to circulate my draft opinions promptly, too quickly look at my colleagues draft opinions. Very good. This next question will be for all of you as well. Ill start with you miss meek and work down that way and then and at mrs. In your view, what is the proper temperament of the judge, and you can think back to your career . How have you developed the elements that will be necessary to have the appropriate judicial temperament that you will need to exhibit if confirmed . I believe that components at the proper temperament for a judge, patience, understanding, respect for the parties is very important. Fairness, if all these things are applied, then it makes for a good process for the parties. It makes for good due process for the parties, and it makes the job easier for the judge actually. Thank you. Very good, miss crane. I agree with my conominee and add that being open minded is important. Giving both parties an opportunity to raise the issues before me and then evaluate those carefully by listening closely to the parties would be important trait as well. Thank you, i agree with my conominees as well. We generally consider respect, humility, collegiality and impartiality and hallmarks of judicial temperament. Essentially . Thank you, i concur as well, i would add that i think dedication to the rule of law is also particularly necessary for a judge. Next question would be for mr. Shanker, miss crane and miss sanchez, as we share from the role of an advocate and an impartial adjudicator, he prepared to make this transition if confirmed . Mr. Shanker im acutely aware between differences between an advocate and impartial arbiter. If confirmed, i commit to addressing all my cases and the parties before me with impartiality without bias, without prejudge mint and putting in the work in terms of reading briefs, reading the cases and listen to arguments fairly and impartially. Miss greene . As a United States attorney for the past eight years, ive often been required to anticipate the arguments of the opposing side, and i think that skill of consulate take about the flaws in my case will prepare me well to see both sides in permitted listen to both sides fairly before me. Essentially . I agree with my fellow nominees, i think that as an assistant in isis attorney, i have had the experience of also working with victims and working with witnesses and so also recognizing the importance, the quality the judge would have to ensure that individuals that come before are hurt and listen to and also because ive had the experience of having to assess cases and be able to step back and see whether the facts apply to the law. Very good, well, i would like to thank once again each of our nominees for joining us here today and for your willingness to serve and hes important positions that you have been nominated for. The nominees have filed responses to biographical and financial questioners and without objection, this information will be made a part of the hearing record, with the exception of the financial data, which is on file and available for public inspection in the committee office. The hearing record will remain open until 12 pm tomorrow, september 22nd, for the submission of statements and questions for the record. This hearing isdjourned. On thursday, a hearing looks a National Security tested u. S. Oh man security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is joined by fbi director ristopher wray and National Counterterrorism director Christine Abizaid and givi testimony to the senate of the things we should you can also watch in our free mobile app cspan. Middle and high school students, its your time to shine, youre invited to traces pay in this years student cam documentary competition. Make yourself a newly elected member of congress. We estess competitors, where did this years top parties and why . Make a 5 to 6 minute video that shows the importance of your issue from opposing and supporting perspectives. Dont be afraid to take risks with the documentary. Be bold. Amongst the 100,000 in cash prizes is a 5000dollar grand prize. Videos must be submitted by january 20th, 2023. Visit our website at student cam. Org for competition rules, tips, resources and a stepbystep guide. Cspan is your unfiltered view of government. Were funded by these Television Companies and more, including