Senate Confirms Controversial Obama Nominee to 7th Circuit Bench
After a delay of more than five months, the U.S. Senate today has confirmed a controversial judge nominated to the federal appellate bench by President Barack Obama.
The vote was 59-39, with the sole Republican vote in favor of Judge David Hamilton cast by Sen. Richard Lugar, who represents the jurist’s home state of Indiana, reports Politico.
“This is a nomination that should be confirmed and should have been confirmed months ago,” said Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) in a written statement. “David Hamilton is a fine judge and will make a good addition to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.”
Leahy noted that Hamilton received the American Bar Association’s highest rating, reports the Associated Press.
However, Republicans criticized him as a liberal activist judge. Ten members of the GOP voted with Democrats to end a filibuster that had prevented an earlier vote, but then nine of the Republicans voted against his confirmation, the news agency notes.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Republicans Protest Speedy Hearing for 7th Circuit Nominee”
ABAJournal.com: “Senator Criticizes ‘ACLU Chromosome’ in Obama’s Judicial Picks”
