The Hill reports, "Senate confirms Obama judicial nominee over Republican objections." It's by Josiah Ryan.
The Senate confirmed John M. Gerrard of Nebraska to be United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska 74-16 on Monday in its first vote of the year.
Sen. Jeff Sessions (D-Nev.) lead the Republican opposition to the judge stating Gerrard was a good man but had shown signs of holding allegiance to his personal view on the death penalty over the law during his years as a member of the Nebraska Supreme Court.
And:
Both of Nebraska's senators, Ben Nelson (D) and Mike Johanns (R), defended the judge however, claiming Gerrard had proven to his dedication to the rule of law.
“In all cases, I have supported candidates for the judiciary who convinced me they would follow the law, and would not manipulate it to promote a personal or activist agenda,” said Nelson, speaking from the Senate floor on Monday.
"Gerrard confirmed to federal bench," by Joseph Morton for the Omaha World-Herald.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Nebraska Supreme Court Judge John Gerrard as the state’s next federal judge.
The Senate voted 74 to 16 Monday in favor of the nomination, which was supported by all four senators from Nebraska and Iowa.
President Barack Obama nominated Gerrard to replace U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf, who took senior status last month.
And:
Gerrard was in the majority for the 4-3 decision in 2007 to put the Carey Dean Moore execution on hold temporarily while the court considered another death row inmate’s claim that the electric chair was unconstitutional.
The decision was unusual because Moore wasn’t seeking the delay. Rather, the high court acted on its own motion, saying there was a high obligation to carry out the death penalty lawfully.
The court later found use of the electric chair unconstitutional, and the Legislature then approved the use of lethal injections. Moore remains on death row.
Also:
Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., said Gerrard and the rest of the court had ruled against a particular method of execution but upheld the death penalty itself. He said Gerrard was a member of the court when it set dates for other executions that were carried out.
“In every instance Justice Gerrard has ruled on the death penalty, he has been balanced, even-handed and, most important, faithful to the Constitution,” Nelson said.
Earlier coverage of federal judicial nominations begins at the link. Related posts are in the judiciary and politics indexes.
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