NEWSMAX: — After a monthslong blockade, Senate Republicans have agreed to let at least 19 of President Barack Obama’s noncontroversial judicial nominees win confirmation in the waning days of the congressional session in exchange for a commitment by Democrats not to seek votes on four others, according to officials familiar with the deal.
Among the four is Goodwin Liu, a law school dean seen as a potential future Supreme Court pick, whose nomination for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco has sparked strong criticism from Republicans.
As part of the arrangement, the Senate approved 10 judges in the past few days without a single dissenting vote. One, Albert Diaz, had been awaiting confirmation to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., since clearing the Judiciary Committee in January… (more)