The U.S. Senate has confirmed Cedar Rapids native and University of Iowa graduate Kara Marie Westercamp to serve as a judge on the United States Court of International Trade.
Westercamp was confirmed by a 50-48 vote and will receive a lifetime appointment to the federal court.
The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, held a nomination hearing for Westercamp on March 25, 2026. The committee advanced her nomination to the full Senate on April 30 by a 12-10 vote.
Westercamp earned both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Iowa. After law school, she clerked for Judge John Jarvey on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa before entering private practice.
She later joined the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Division, where she worked on cases involving federal agencies and international trade disputes. Her experience included matters before the U.S. Court of International Trade. She later joined the White House Counsel’s Office.
During her confirmation hearing, Grassley praised Westercamp’s Iowa roots and legal experience, calling her “highly qualified” for the position.
Westercamp also discussed how international trade law can directly affect agricultural and manufacturing states such as Iowa. The court handles disputes involving imports, tariffs, anti-dumping and countervailing duties, customs decisions and certain executive actions involving trade.
The U.S. Court of International Trade consists of nine judges who are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Judges receive lifetime appointments.
