The Senate today confirmed Ed Chen as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Despite attacks by some GOP leaders, Chen was confirmed by a vote of 56 to 42 and did not face a filibuster.

Marge Baker of People For the American Way issued the following statement:

“Ed Chen is exceedingly well qualified for this seat. Despite the repeated delays he was forced to endure, Americans should be glad that the Senate finally confirmed his nomination.

“Today’s vote is another indicator that despite the bluster and attacks aimed at President Obama’s nominees, a significant number of Republicans have decided to resist efforts to obstruct these exceedingly well qualified nominees. Over the years, many GOP Senators have spoken out forcefully against blocking votes on judicial nominees; some have even declared the use of the filibuster in these situations to be unconstitutional. Since President Obama took office, some Senators have walked away from their promises when it became inconvenient, but others have stood by their commitments. Despite our differences, those Senators deserve our respect.”

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