Rep. Doggett Statement on Senate Confirmation of Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo for Federal Judgeship in Laredo

October 3, 2011

Washington—Today, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Chair of the Texas Democratic Congressional Delegation, issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo’s nomination for a federal judgeship in Laredo:

“Our Texas Democratic Delegation recommended Marina Garcia Marmolejo on May 13, 2009, and she was officially nominated by President Obama, first on July 28, 2010, and again renominated at the beginning of the current Congress.  Despite initially concurring with our recommendation, our Texas Senators permitted her confirmation to linger for more than a year.  Born in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas Mexico, and naturalized as a United States citizen, Marmolejo represents historic change in the diversity of the Texas federal judiciary and is an inspiration to young Latinas in South Texas. 

“In March, 2009, President Obama announced he would not make Texas justice nominations without “the confirmed support” of the Texas Democratic delegation.  To date, every judge named here has met that standard, including Marmolejo, Judge Diana Saldana and Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos, all of whom have now been confirmed.  While our recommendations are working to strengthen and diversify the federal judiciary in Texas, we await overdue action on the remaining judicial vacancies in Texas.”

The remaining judicial vacancies in Texas are:  

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