Biden judicial nominee takes heat over recommendation for transgender inmate, answer on sex

Judge Sarah Netburn, nominated by President Biden to one of the most prestigious federal courts in the country, faces a rocky path forward, as the Senate Judiciary Committee passed up two opportunities Thursday to move forward on her advancement. The apparent delay comes after Republicans highlighted her decision to move a transgender individual, who is also a sex offender, into a women's prison.

Biden nominated Netburn to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, one of the most prestigious and busiest federal courts in the country.

During remarks on the Senate floor Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the Judiciary Committee "has received almost a hundred letters – from liberals – opposing Judge Netburn’s activism."

"Apparently, it’s not enough for Senate Democrats to rubber-stamp radicals to the courts. They desperately don’t want the American people to know about it," McConnell said. "The cat is out of the bag."

Netburn ordered the transfer of inmate July Justine Shelby, who was imprisoned under the name William McClain, to a women's prison, against the recommendation of Bureau of Prisons officials.

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., criticized Netburn during a May hearing, labeling her a "political activist."

SENATORS GRILL BIDEN JUDICIAL NOMINEE OVER TRANSGENDER INMATE TRANSFER REQUEST DESPITE SEX CRIMES CONVICTIONS

While grilling Netburn before the House Judiciary Committee last month, Kennedy noted that Shelby, who was incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Otisville, New York, had been convicted for molesting a nine-year-boy and raping a 17-year-old girl, as well as sending child porn to other sex offenders.

"I issued a report and recommendation to the