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Floor Speech

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Mr. BANKS. Mr. President, we are about to vote on the confirmation of Mr. Justin Olson, President Trump's nominee to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Justin is President Trump's first judicial nominee in Indiana of the second Trump administration.

I hope all of my colleagues will join me in voting to confirm Justin. He is more than qualified for this position.

I had never met or heard of Justin before this process, but let me just say that, from the very first time that I met with him, I knew he would make a great judge. I was really impressed by him, and I am grateful that President Trump nominated him.

Together with his wife Leah, Justin is the proud father of five young children. I enjoyed spending time with them recently, when they were here to visit DC for Justin's hearing.

Outside of his impressive legal career, Justin is an active member of his church, his community, and his community where he served as an elder and taught children Sunday school.

Justin is a graduate of Grove City College and the Maurer School of Law at Indiana University Bloomington. After graduating, he served his country in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Indianapolis. During his time in the U.S. Attorney's Office, Justin earned a stellar reputation for his incredible work ethic and his character. Before his time in the U.S. Attorney's Office, Justin earned a prestigious clerkship with the chief justice of the Indiana Supreme Court.

It is very clear that Justin has all of the qualifications to serve on the bench. But beyond his paper resume, Justin has the qualities that I think are most important in a judge. He cares deeply about America and American values. He especially cares about equality.

We all watched as the University of Pennsylvania and the NCAA allowed a man to dominate women's swimming. We all saw just how unfair and disgraceful that was. Justin has been part of the legal team that is suing Penn and the NCAA and other schools that have allowed men to compete in women's sports.

Justin has also been part of the team that is representing Riley Gaines and other female athletes who have been forced to compete against those men and to share private spaces with them.

Justin and his legal team have sought justice for those young women who have been robbed of medals, of dignity, and their safety. In fact, I think it is really incredible that Justin's confirmation comes one day after National Girls and Women in Sports Day. I can think of no one better prepared to make sure that women's sports are only for women than him, Justin Olson.

Justin has also represented a group that is very important to me, and that is the Turning Point USA's chapter at IU Bloomington, my alma mater. Justin has defended that group's right to express conservative ideas on college campuses. I have no doubt that Justin would make Charlie Kirk proud.

Earlier in Justin's career, before he even graduated from law school, Justin was already writing scholarly papers in support of States' rights to protect unborn children.

What I want in a judge, above all else, is courage. I want judges, especially in my home State of Indiana, who are not afraid to stand up for truth and who are willing to say things that others are afraid to say.

Really, anyone can say the right thing, but I want judges who have done the right thing, especially when it is hard or unpopular.

Well, look no further than Justin Olson. He has always done the right thing, even when it is hard. He has fought for women's rights, for the equal application of civil rights law, and for American liberties.

Our Nation is at a turning point. We need judges who believe in the American project and its goodness, judges that are just like Justice Thomas and Justice Alito. And we need judges who will not just uphold the Constitution but who will cherish it. Justin Olson is that type of person.

I am very pleased that President Trump nominated Justin to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. It was my honor to introduce him at his confirmation hearing, and it will be my honor to vote in favor of his nomination in just a few moments. He is the right person for the job. I can't wait to call him Judge Olson.

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