Senate confirms voting rights advocate to 2nd Circuit federal appellate court
The Senate voted 48-43 on Monday to confirm Myrna Perez, a voting rights advocate, to a lifetime appointment on the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. Perez is the first Latina judge on the New York-based 2nd Circuit since Justice Sonia Sotomayor was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2009. She is also President Biden's 13th judge confirmed to the federal appellate bench.
Perez was director of the voting rights and election program at New York University law school's Brennan Center for Justice. Republicans had opposed her confirmation because of her opposition to GOP voting restrictions, and none voted to confirm her. "In his 53 judicial nominations, Biden has prioritized increasing the personal and professional diversity of the judges on the federal bench," Reuters reports. Last month, Biden nominated Dale Ho, head of the American Civil Liberties Union's voting rights project, for a federal judgeship.
The Senate confirmed a second Biden nominee to the 2nd Circuit appellate court, former public defender Eunice Lee, in August, and a third nominee, Vermont Supreme Court Justice Beth Robinson, advanced out of the Judiciary Committee last week. Two judges on the 2nd Circuit, Jose Cabranes and Rosemary Pooler, recently announced plans to take senior status, meaning Biden will likely get to pick five of the appellate court's 13 active judges. Six were appointed by Republicans.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 18, 2024
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - impeachment Peanuts, record-breaking temperatures, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Pros and cons of solar energy
Pros and cons Solar power could become the primary source of electricity worldwide by 2050 – but there are still clouds in the forecast
By Rebecca Messina, The Week UK Published
-
Post Office's Capture software to be reviewed over 'glitches'
Speed Read Solicitor representing accused postmasters says flaws in the IT system follow 'very similar pattern' to Horizon
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?
Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published