The Senate today unanimously confirmed three judges to serve on federal district courts, leaving over one hundred federal judicial vacancies. The Senate has now confirmed only 31 of President Obama’s federal circuit and district court nominees; 17 nominees who were approved unanimously by the Senate Judiciary Committee are still awaiting floor votes. At this time in George W. Bush’s presidency, 57 judicial nominees had been confirmed, according to Judiciary Committee statistics.

The three district court judges confirmed today are Tanya Pratt of Indiana, and Brian Jackson and Elizabeth Foote of Louisiana. Pratt will become the first African American federal judge in Indiana.

Michael B. Keegan, President of People For the American Way, issued the following statement:

“I congratulate Judge Pratt, Ms. Foote and Mr. Jackson on their appointments, and urge the Senate to swiftly confirm the dozens of highly qualified judicial nominees still awaiting hearings and floor votes. Republicans in the Senate have made no secret of their desire to obstruct progress on national business by needlessly delaying votes on entirely qualified judicial and executive branch nominees. Their stalling tactics are counterproductive, and their motives transparent. It is the Senate’s duty to help the President quickly and responsibly fill judicial and executive vacancies; it’s time for the Senate GOP to start taking that responsibility seriously.”

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