Washington D.C., Nov 21, 2009 / 16:03 pm
The U.S. Senate voted 59-39 to confirm the appointment of U.S. District Judge David Hamilton to the Chicago-based Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The judge has ruled against Indiana’s informed consent law and has also ordered the cessation of “sectarian prayers” in the Indiana House of Representatives.
Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana was the only Republican to vote for the confirmation of Judge Hamilton, who is also from Indiana. According to Reuters, Sen. Lugar said the judge was ‘superbly qualified.”
The Democrat-controlled Senate lifted a Republican procedural roadblock against Judge Hamilton, who was President Obama’s first judicial nominee in 2009.
Federal judges serve for life and have great power in their court decisions. Appeals courts establish binding precedent within their jurisdictions.