Senate Confirms Hamilton to Court of Appeals

The Senate this afternoon confirmed Judge David Hamilton to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals by a vote of 59 – 39, despite Republican efforts to filibuster his nomination. Republicans had criticized Hamilton for his rulings in a couple of cases involving abortion and religion during his 15-year tenure as a judge on the federal district court in Indiana. Although the Senate Judiciary Committee reported his nomination on June 4, it took five months for senators to bring it to a vote.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) praised the confirmation and urged the Senate to continue to reject efforts to filibuster pending nominations.

“This is a nomination that should be confirmed and should have been confirmed months ago. David Hamilton is a fine judge and will make a good addition to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit,” said Leahy in a statement today.

Ten more judicial nominations remain pending on the Senate’s executive calendar.