WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Wednesday applauded the United State Senate’s confirmation of Judge Sarah Merriam, President Biden’s nominee to fill a vacancy on the U.S. District Court of Connecticut. Merriam was confirmed in a bipartisan 54-46 vote, with four Republicans joining all Democrats.

“I’ve known Judge Merriam for 20 years, and as her friend, I’m thrilled to see her confirmed by the full Senate. She brings to the federal bench not only her lifetime of service as a public defender and a highly-regarded federal magistrate, but also her rare combination of compassion, intellect, and conviction. I was proud to vote to confirm her nomination,” said Murphy.

“Sarah Merriam exemplifies the highest qualities of Connecticut’s District Court—extraordinary intelligence and integrity, a deep commitment to fair and caring consideration of everyone seeking justice, and unstinting dedication to our state and nation. I have been proud to champion her nomination as a member of the Judiciary Committee, along with my colleague Senator Murphy. The bipartisan vote today shows broad support across party lines,” Blumenthal said.

In July, Murphy and Blumenthal introduced Merriam before her Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Video of Murphy’s opening remarks are available here. Blumenthal’s opening remarks are available for download here.

Judge Sarah Merriam has served as a United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Connecticut since 2015. Prior to that, Judge Merriam served as an Assistant Federal Defender in the District of Connecticut from 2007 through 2015, and worked as a law clerk to Judge Thomas Meskill of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and to Judge Alvin Thompson of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. Judge Merriam attended Georgetown University for her undergraduate degree, and began her legal education at the University of Connecticut School of Law before transferring to Yale Law School, from which she received her Juris Doctor in 2000. 

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