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Floor Speech

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Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm Robert Chamberlin to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi.

I will vote in opposition to Justice Chamberlin's confirmation to a lifetime appointment on the Federal bench. There are several reasons why I cannot support his nomination.

Justice Chamberlin's positions as a State legislator demonstrate that he holds extreme views that are out of the mainstream.

While serving as a State Senator, Justice Chamberlin cosponsored legislation to advance so-called ``fetal personhood'' by expanding the definition of human being under State law to include every stage of gestation, beginning from conception.

He also cosponsored legislation that would allow healthcare providers to refuse treatment to patients if they claim it violates their conscience, without facing any liability.

But that is where his ``pro-life'' views end.

Although gun violence is the leading cause of death for American children, Justice Chamberlin voted for a bill making it illegal for Mississippi communities to sue gun manufacturers or dealers for faulty design, manufacture, distribution, or sale of firearms and ammunition.

With Justice Chamberlin's troubling record, we cannot trust that he will be fair and impartial if confirmed to the Federal bench. His record demonstrates a devotion to partisan politics, not the rule of law.

I cannot support this nomination, and I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing it.

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