Chairman Lindsey Graham
Ranking Member Diane Feinstein
U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary
224 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington D.C. 20510-6050
Dear Chairman Graham and Ranking Member Feinstein:
On behalf of the AFL-CIO, I urge you to oppose the nomination of Paul Matey to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. We have both procedural and substantive concerns about this nomination.
Mr. Matey lacks the support of both New Jersey Senators Menendez and Booker, and, historically, this fact alone would have prohibited committee consideration of his nomination.
The White House did not consult with either Senator before announcing the nomination, and neither Senator was provided with an opportunity to meet with Mr. Matey before his hearing. Senator Booker was able to engage and question Mr. Matey, only because of his membership on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
In addition, Mr. Matey’s record raises serious concerns about his suitability for a federal judicial lifetime appointment. He has co-authored articles suggesting powerful corporations need more protection from consumer and shareholder class actions. He has been associated with a number of unsavory controversies while serving then Governor Chris Christie in several roles, including as Deputy Chief Counsel during the controversial Bridgegate scandal.
Senators deserve an opportunity to examine the record of judicial nominees in order to fulfill their constitutional obligation to provide “advice and consent.” We know that both New Jersey Senators were not afforded this opportunity. The AFL-CIO urges you to oppose his nomination to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
Sincerely,
William Samuel, Director
Government Affairs Department