Senate Committee Votes on Patrick Davis for Assistant AG Amid Other Nominations

The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary convened on April 10, 2025, to address three key items on its agenda, primarily focusing on nominations for assistant attorneys general and the nomination of a U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.

The meeting began with the introduction of the nominations of John Eisenberg and Brett Shumate for assistant attorneys general. These nominations were presented for the first time and will be carried over to the next meeting for further consideration.

The committee then moved to the nomination of Patrick Davis to serve as assistant attorney general for the office of legislative affairs. Chairman Grassley expressed his support for Davis, highlighting his previous work and commitment to the Department of Justice's responsibilities. The committee planned to vote on Davis's nomination immediately following remarks from Ranking Member Durbin.

In a notable discussion, Chairman Grassley addressed the nomination of Ed Martin for U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. He acknowledged a previous request from Senator Durbin to hold a vote on whether to conduct a hearing for Martin's nomination. However, it was agreed that the committee would wait for written responses from Martin to over 500 questions submitted by senators before proceeding with any further action. Grassley emphasized the importance of allowing the nominee to respond in writing, adhering to the committee's standard practices.

Senator Durbin supported this approach, expressing anticipation for Martin's responses, which are expected during the upcoming April recess. This will allow the committee to review the information before deciding on a hearing for Martin's nomination.

The meeting also included a moment of recognition for Michael May, a member of Senator Durbin's staff, who is departing for law school. Durbin praised May's contributions to the committee, particularly his extensive work on nominations since 2022.

In summary, the committee's meeting focused on significant nominations, with a clear commitment to thorough review and adherence to procedural norms. The next steps will involve awaiting responses from nominees before further actions are taken.