Trump nominates Neomi Rao to replace Kavanaugh on DC circuit
What's the story
US President Donald Trump has sent to the Senate the nomination of prominent Indian-American, Neomi Rao, to replace Justice Brett Kavanaugh on the powerful DC Circuit Court of Appeals. If confirmed by the Senate, Rao would be the second Indian-American judge in this powerful court after judge Sree Srinivasan, who was appointed during the previous Obama regime. The nomination was sent yesterday.
Nomination
Trump announced Rao's nomination during White House's Diwali celebrations
Trump, during Diwali celebrations on Tuesday at the historic Roosevelt Room of the White House, announced the nomination of the 45-year-old regulatory czar for the DC Circuit, considered next to the US Supreme Court. Last month Kavanaugh, 53, was sworn in as a Supreme Court Justice. He has been embroiled in a bitter battle to stave off claims of sexual assault, which he denies.
Work
Rao played key role in saving $23bn in fiscal 2018
The South Asian Bar Association welcomed the nomination of Rao, who currently serves as the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). In her current position, Rao played a key role in regulatory reform, which according to the White House, saved American families and businesses $23 billion in fiscal year-2018 by getting rid of unduly burdensome and unnecessary regulation.
Career
Rao was previously a professor at Antonin Scalia Law School
Prior to her service as OIRA Administrator, Rao was a professor of structural constitutional law, administrative law, and legislation and statutory interpretation at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University. Rao founded the Law School's Center for the Study of the Administrative State and focused her scholarship on the political and constitutional accountability of administrative agencies and the role of Congress.
Details
Rao was Special Assistant to George W Bush
Rao has previously served in all three branches of the federal government, and before taking on her current role in the executive branch, she was Associate Counsel and Special Assistant to the President for the George W Bush administration. She also served as counsel to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, where she was responsible for judicial nominations and constitutional law issues.
Information
Rao has also worked in the private sector
A graduate of Yale University and the University of Chicago Law School, Rao also worked in the private sector, in the international arbitration group of the London-based law firm, Clifford Chance LLP. She also clerked for the US Supreme Court judge Clarence Thomas from 2001-2002.