Without GOP support, Senate confirms gay woman as federal judge in New York

[ruggerson]

Not sure if this was posted already.

WASHINGTON — Without Republican support, the Senate has narrowly confirmed an openly gay woman to become a judge on a federal court in New York.

Alison Nathan, who has served as an adviser to President Barack Obama, is the third openly gay person confirmed to the federal bench. The Senate approved Nathan’s nomination to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York by a 48-44 vote Thursday.

Republicans said they opposed Nathan’s confirmation because she indicated in a book that judges should consider foreign law in rulings. Sen. Jeff Sessions, the senior Republican on the Judiciary Committee, said Nathan’s record indicates she has an “activist viewpoint.”

In 2009, Nathan worked in the president’s Office of Special Counsel. Last year, she moved to the New York solicitor general’s office.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts-law/without-gop-support-senate-confirms-gay-woman-as-federal-judge-in-new-york/2011/10/13/gIQAVbtBiL_story.html

[pnwmom]

1. I'm a little surprised they didn't filibuster her. n/t

[Proud Liberal Dem]

2. Yeah. Me too.

Since they've been so filibuster-happy for the past few years. :shrug: Oh well, not that anybody's complaining. :-)

[Pirate Smile]

6. Harry made a deal with McConnell to get four judges approved.

If there isn't a deal with McConnell, nothing happens.

I'll look for a link re the deal.

edit to add - it was a deal for 10 judges, not 4.


Senators Reach Deal on 10 Judicial Nominees

Senate leaders have come to an agreement to consider 10 judicial nominees during the next several weeks, stepping up the rate that senators have been considering judges in recent months.

The nominees include Judge Henry Floyd for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit and two picks for the high-profile U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Katherine Forrest and Alison Nathan. Also in the group is Jennifer Zipps, a federal magistrate who would succeed the late U.S. District Judge John Roll after his death in the January shooting at a Tucson, Ariz., grocery store.

The 10 are among 27 judicial nominees who have won the backing of the Senate Judiciary Committee and are waiting for final votes in the Senate. The White House and liberal legal groups have been pressuring the Senate to act, noting the historically high vacancy rate on the federal bench. This year, the Senate has been considering about four nominees a month.

http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2011/09/senators-reach-deal-on-10-judicial-nominees.html

[Proud Liberal Dem]

7. I figured that it probably didn't happen by accident

or because of the Republicans suddenly deciding to play fair. :banghead:

[jenmito]

3. K&R. Why is this thread being ignored?

[ruggerson]

4. I'm just happy she squeaked through

Although the fact that there are still only three in the entire country is mind boggling, considering there are over three thousand federally appointed judges.

[jenmito]

5. Same here...

and I agree.

[burrowowl]

8. K&R

[Major Hogwash]

9. So, I guess she's a liberal, huh?

I don't know how they got her through the maze, though.

Were the Children of the Corn out doing something else last week??

[Arkana]

10. There it is: "activist"

Republican code for "She's gay and makes decisions I might not agree with."