Keenan confirmed for 4th Circuit judgeship, Democrats expand control

[usregimechange]

Barbara Keenan, Judge, U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
59 years old


Virginia Supreme Court Justice Barbara M. Keenan was confirmed by the U.S. Senate yesterday to fill a vacancy on the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The 59-year-old Keenan, who has been on the Virginia Supreme Court since 1991, will be the first female judge from Virginia to serve on the 4th Circuit, which handles federal appeals from Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina.

She was recommended by Sens. Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner last June and nominated by President Barack Obama in September.

"I am pleased by the unanimous confirmation of Justice Barbara Keenan to the 4th Circuit," Webb said yesterday.

Warner, however, said, "I am disappointed that Justice Keenan's noncontroversial nomination was delayed more than four months by unnecessary filibusters that came to an end with two unanimous, bipartisan votes."

Carl Tobias, a professor at the University of Richmond School of Law, said Webb and Warner appropriately forced a final 99-0 vote on Keenan. The 4th Circuit, which had four of 15 judgeships vacant, needs all its judges, he said.
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/article/KEEN03_20100302-221006/327929/








Roll Call, 99-0-1 (Hutchison, R-TX, not voting)
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00030#position


Previous posts

Obama Nominates VA Justice Barbara Keenan for US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (Tue Sep-15-09 03:31 AM)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6549544

Obama 4th Circuit nominee approved unanimously in committee, sent to full Senate (Fri Oct-30-09 01:51 AM)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=6886566

[usregimechange]

1. Albert Diaz & James Wynn are still waiting for their vote as well

[Cerridwen]

2. K & R, here, too.

Thank you!

:hi:

[gratuitous]

3. And THIS is why majorities are important

This could be the turning of the tide for the Fourth Circuit, long the neanderthal district of choice for every Federalist Society loony-tune batshit crazy legal theory they wanted to get a favorable opinion on.

[usregimechange]

4. This court has changed in major way, good for the country