Senator Marshall Introduces President Trump’s Nominees for U.S. District Courts of Kansas

Washington - On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), introduced Kansas Bureau of Investigation Director Tony Mattivi, Great Bend attorney Jeffrey M. Kuhlman, and Kansas Solicitor General Anthony J. Powell during their nomination hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The three nominees, selected by President Trump, are being considered to serve as United States District Judges for the District of Kansas.

Senator Marshall highlighted the nominees' strong Kansas roots, integrity, and commitment to public service, while emphasizing the thorough effort behind their selection alongside Senator Moran. He underscored the importance of the federal judiciary and expressed confidence that the nominees will serve Kansans with fairness and distinction.

Click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall's full remarks.

Senator Marshall's remarks as delivered:

"Well, thank you, Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Durbin. I want to start by thanking my senior Senator Jerry Moran, and his team for your strong partnership in advancing these nominations. Our staff has never worked harder or more efficiently on any project that we've done, and I certainly want to complement our state staff as well. It was quite a challenge to narrow this down to just three people."

"I also want to acknowledge Senator Pat Roberts. Senator Roberts was either my Congressman or one of my U.S. Senators for my entire adult life, and I'm proud to hold the seat that he once held and appreciate his tireless fight for the people of Kansas."

"I want to thank President Trump for nominating three outstanding Kansans. It's an honor to join you today in introducing them to this committee. I also want to take a moment and recognize judges Eric Melgren back home, and Daniel Crabtree, and Julie Robinson for their dedicated service to our state as they transition to senior status. And in particular, I want to give a special shout-out to my friend and mentor, Judge Melgren. His career is a powerful example for these nominees. And I must also add that nominee Jeff Kuhlman had the privilege of clerking directly for Judge Melgren for two years after law school."

"The Federal Judiciary is one of the foundational pillars of our constitutional system as we continue the great experiment of this republic, the system of checks and balances between the three branches of government depends on getting this right. The Senate's role in providing advice and consent, ensuring we see the right individuals in these lifetime positions, this is one of the most consequential responsibilities of a United States Senator."

"Courts are where the law meets real life for real families, real communities and real Kansans who have something important on the line. They deserve judges who understand Kansas values and culture, who will call balls and strikes fairly and impartially."

"First, I'd like to speak to Mr. Jeff Kuhlman, who, as Senator Moran mentioned, grew up in a small western Kansas town of Ness. City population is around 1,300. I think it's important that we recognize the diversity in these candidates. He earned his undergraduate degree at Kansas State University before attending law school in Washington, DC. Yet he and his wife, Lauren, whose brother I delivered, made a very deliberate decision to go back home to be with family, to raise their family, with their family as well. Today, he's a respected attorney to a law firm I know very well in my hometown of Great Bend, a community where I practice medicine for 25 years. Jeff knows rural and western Kansas inside and out. What stands out most about Jeff is his deep sense of duty and character. He chose to serve the very community that raised him, representing local governments, cities, and everyday Kansans with integrity and common-sense judgment. He embodies the Kansas values of hard work, humility, and commitment to his roots. I'm confident he'll bring that same grounded perspective and fairness to the federal bench for decades to come."

"Next, I want to speak to Tony Powell. He's devoted his career to public service in Kansas, beginning with four terms in the Kansas House of Representatives, where he rose to Majority Whip. He served as Sedgwick County District Judge, and later on, the Kansas Court of Appeals, where he thoughtfully considered 1000s of cases. He recently is the Kansas Solicitor General. He's argued on behalf of the people of Kansas in significant matters. Few nominees have served Kansans at every level of the legal and legislative system. Tony is a person of steady character and principled judgment. His decades of service reflected deep respect for the rule of law, for due process, and the institutions that protect Kansans. He brings the kind of balanced experience perspective we need on the federal district court."

"And finally, I want to introduce my friend Tony Mattivi. Tony earned his law degree from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, and spent his career in the challenging work of protecting public safety and upholding justice. He began as an assistant district attorney in Shawnee County, which is Topeka. He served in the Kansas Attorney General's office and then spent more than more than 20 years as a federal prosecutor, handling complex cases involving drug trafficking, violent crimes, organized crime, money laundering, and terrorism. Among his most notable works. He led the capital prosecution of the al Qaeda operative who masterminded the bombing of the USS Cole, 17 American sailors who deserved justice and got it because of Tony's relentless commitment. He also traveled to Iraq to advise on war crime tribunals and prosecuted individuals who plotted attacks against targets in Kansas, including the Wichita airport and Fort Riley. Most recently, as director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Tony showed proactive leadership, sounding the alarm early on fentanyl, standing up the joint fentanyl impact team, and creating child victim units to better protect our most vulnerable. What defines Tony is his relentless integrity, courage, and commitment to keeping Kansans safe. He has dedicated his life to the rule of law and public service with honor and without failure."

"In closing, I'm proud of the diverse backgrounds and experiences these three nominees bring. Their records are exceptional, but what matters most to me is their character. These are good men, men of high integrity, who share the core values of fairness, hard work, respect for the law, and service to others. They will ensure due process, protect individual rights and liberties, and deliver impartial justice to the people they serve. Senator Moran and I worked carefully through a strong list of candidates, and these three stood out as individuals I'm confident will serve the district of Kansas with distinction for decades to come. Thank you."

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