After defeating a Republican filibuster attempt, the Senate confirmed Jack McConnell as a United States District Judge in the District of Rhode Island by a vote of 50 to 44. The vote represents a major victory for Senators Reed and Whitehouse of Rhode Island, who worked tirelessly to ensure Mr. McConnell’s confirmation. It is also a victory for moving forward on other judicial nominations.
Judge McConnell is the 20th judicial nominee confirmed during the 112th Congress, and the 82nd during the Obama presidency. There are currently 90 remaining vacancies in the federal judiciary, including 35 seats considered to be “judicial emergencies” by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. With Mr. McConnell’s confirmation, 11 judicial nominees await a final confirmation vote in the Senate.
For the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on judicial nominations, visit the Alliance for Justice’s Judicial Selection Project webpage.
