Robert Molloy
The U.S. Senate today confirmed the nomination of Judge Robert A. Molloy to serve as a District Court Judge in the U.S. Virgin Islands. On Monday, the Senate voted 88-1 to invoke cloture, a procedure by which the Senate can vote to set an end to a debate without also rejecting the bill, amendment, conference report, motion, or other matter it has been debating.
With the successful cloture on Monday, the Senate was cleared to easily confirm Judge Molloy today with a unanimous vote of 97-0.
In a statement issued this afternoon, Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett expressed confidence in Judge Molloy's ability.
“This afternoon, the United States Senate voted (97-0) to confirm Judge Robert A. Molloy’s nomination to serve as a District Judge for the District Court of the Virgin Islands. Judge Molloy has served the Virgin Islands community skillfully and in good faith for much of his legal career; first clerking for Judge Raymond Finch on the U.S. District Court of the Virgin Islands, then as Assistant Attorney General, and finally serving as a Judge in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands. His tremendous work ethic and thoughtfulness is known by the entire legal community," Ms. Plaskett said.
She added, “I was honored to send Judge Molloy’s nomination to the White House. In May of this year, President Trump announced his nomination of Judge Molloy to serve as our territory’s United States District Judge. President Trump’s appointment and the U.S. Senate’s eventual confirmation of Judge Molloy is landmark. These actions are evidence of not just the possibility of bi-partisan collaboration and successful joint efforts between the parties, but the importance of them.
“I highly commend U.S. District Judge Robert A. Molloy for his work and efforts in reaching this milestone. My office and I are looking forward to a successful and productive tenure as he takes on the duties that await him in this new role.”
Judge Molloy will be replacing Judge Curtis Gomez who has been on the bench since January 1, 2005.
The 97-0 confirmation of Superior Court Judge Robert A. Molloy to the federal bench is one of the few bipartisan votes taken by the current United States Senate this year — and quite possibly the last near-unanimous vote this bitter 2020 presidential election year. The United States Senate escalated Judge Molloy to the 10-year U.S. District Court post on Tuesday.
Judge Molloy earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Hampton University, his Juris Doctor from American University's Washington College of Law, and his Master of Business Administration from the American University Kogod School of Business
Gov. Albert Bryan offered a congratulatory message to Judge Molloy on Tuesday. “Congratulations to Judge Robert Molloy on his confirmation to the U.S. District Court for the District of the Virgin Islands. I have known Judge Molloy for more than 20 years and could not be any more proud that the U.S. Senate voted to confirm him to serve in the federal judiciary. He is an incredibly talented legal expert who’s acumen and commitment to the rule of law will serve our territory and our country for years to come.”
Carl Tobias, the Williams Chair in Law at the University of Richmond, cheered Mr. Molloy’s confirmation. “The Senate’s confirmation attests to the confidence that the divided Senate has in Judge Molloy, who is an experienced mainstream jurist,” he said. “The Senate and I expect that he will serve with great distinction based on his excellent record to date.”
