Senate Confirms Two District Court Judges

Last night the Senate unanimously confirmed Amy Totenberg and Steve Jones to the Northern District of Georgia. Both judges fill vacancies previously considered “judicial emergencies” by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

Judge Totenberg and Judge Jones were originally nominated in 2010, and the Judiciary Committee unanimously reported both nominees to the full Senate in December 2010, but the Senate failed to vote on their nominations before for the 111th Congress adjourned. President Obama renominated them in January, and the Judiciary Committee again voted unanimously to report them to the full Senate on February 3.

The Senate has now confirmed one circuit court and 6 district court judges the 112th Congress. There are still almost 120 current and future vacancies in the federal courts, including 42 seats considered “judicial emergencies.”

For the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on judicial nominations, visit the Alliance for Justice’s Judicial Selection Project webpage.