The United States Senate confirmed Kara Marie Westercamp,  a Cedar Rapids native and University of Iowa graduate, to a lifetime appointment as a Judge on the United States Court of International Trade, by a vote of 50-48. The Senate Judiciary Committee – chaired by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) – held a nominations hearing to consider Westercamp on March 25, 2026, and advanced her nomination to the full Senate on April 30, 2026, by a vote of 12-10.   

Westercamp received her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Iowa and clerked for Judge John Jarvey on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa before transitioning into private practice and public service. Read Judge Jarvey’s letter of support HERE.

Grassley met with the Westercamp family ahead of her hearing. He also introduced Westercamp at the hearing:

“Ms. Westercamp is a native Iowan – a particular mark of distinction in my book. She received her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Iowa. After law school, Ms. Westercamp clerked for Judge John Jarvey on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. In 2011, she went into private practice at Jones Day. She litigated insurance recovery, securities regulation and financial disputes. In 2014, Ms. Westercamp transitioned to public service as a trial attorney with the National Courts Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. In that role, she defended federal agencies in lawsuits before, and appeals arising out of, the U.S. Court of International Trade. Her expertise in matters before that court is unparalleled. Ms. Westercamp litigated trade disputes until late last year, when she transitioned into the White House Counsel’s Office. Needless to say, Ms. Westercamp is highly qualified to serve as a judge on the Court of International Trade.”

In a response to questioning from Grassley, Westercamp testified to the importance of the U.S. Court of International Trade for agricultural and manufacturing states like Iowa:

“The Court of International Trade is important to the great state of Iowa because Iowa is an agricultural state, soybeans [and] corn, but it also has manufacturing – again, I grew up in Cedar Rapids, and my dad could tell which cereal Quaker Oats or General Mills was making on any particular day. But more importantly, in the context of the court itself, the court hears disputes arising from the international trade laws, and it also considers anti-dumping and countervailing duties that the Department of Commerce assesses, as well as certain determinations by [Customs and Border Protection]. And in addition, the court also reviews certain executive actions or proclamations by the president. Importantly, the [Court of] International Trade, it's an ecosystem that is incredibly connected, and for an agricultural and manufacturing state like Iowa, it's very important.”

Background:  

The United States Court of International Trade is composed of nine judges, appointed for life by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate. No more than five judges can be of the same political party. The court has jurisdiction over cases involving international trade and customs law, including cases related to imports, countervailing duties and tariffs.