Senate Confirms Higginson to the Fifth Circuit

The Senate has confirmed Stephen A. Higginson to the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals by a bipartisan vote of 88-0.

President Obama nominated Higginson to the seat on May 9, 2011; on July 14 he was reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee by a unanimous voice vote and has been waiting 109 days to be confirmed to fill his seat, which has been labeled a judicial emergency by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

The Senate’s action leaves 22 other judicial nominees waiting on the floor for their confirmation votes, 21 of whom were reported out of committee either unanimously or with strong bipartisan support.

For the most accurate, up-to-date information on the judicial selection process, visit AFJ's Judicial Selection page.