In 2017, former New Jersey GovernorChris Christie recommended Matey, a former aide, to the Trump Administration to be a Federal Circuit Judge.[6] On April 10, 2018, President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Matey to serve as a United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.[5] On April 12, 2018, his nomination was sent to the Senate. He was nominated to the seat vacated by Judge Julio M. Fuentes, who assumed senior status on July 18, 2016.[7] On November 13, 2018, a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee.[8] Democratic Senators questioned Matey about the actions of Christie and others with regard to what's known as the Bridgegate Scandal. Matey stated that he had no personal knowledge of the decisions and called it, "the unfortunate act of several individuals who decided to take matters outside of the law and into their own hands.”[9] He was also questioned about his membership in the Federalist Society.
On January 3, 2019, his nomination was returned to the President under Rule XXXI, Paragraph 6 of the United States Senate. On January 23, 2019, President Trump announced his intent to renominate Matey for a federal judgeship.[10] His nomination was sent to the Senate later that day.[11] On February 7, 2019, his nomination was reported out of committee by a 12–10 vote.[12] On March 11, 2019, the Senate invoked cloture on his nomination by a 50–44 vote.[13] On March 12, 2019, his nomination was confirmed by a 54–45 vote.[14] He received his judicial commission on March 18, 2019.[15]
.jpg)
