Senate confirms new federal prosecutor for northern Indiana
The U.S. Senate approved Thomas Kirsch II in a voice vote Tuesday as the U.S. attorney for Indiana's northern district.
U.S. Senate
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Senate confirms Minkler; committee advances Kirsch, delays vote on Barrett
The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary approved by voice vote five nominees for U.S. attorney, including the nominee for the Northern District of Indiana, Thursday. The full Senate on a voice vote also confirmed Josh Minkler as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.
Barrett, Kirsch scheduled for judiciary committee vote
The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary is scheduled to vote Thursday on Amy Coney Barrett, the nominee to the Indiana seat on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, and on Thomas L. Kirsch II, the nominee for U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, but tradition will likely intervene and cause a delay at least for the judgeship.
Posner retires as Notre Dame’s Barrett grilled during Senate hearing
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals is undergoing a change it has not experienced for a while — saying goodbye to a renowned judge and preparing to welcome a likely new jurist.
Messer, Rokita slam Donnelly over other senators’ religion comments
Two Republican congressmen seeking to unseat Sen. Joe Donnelly have criticized his response to fellow Democratic senators’ questioning of an Indiana judicial nominee that focused on her Catholic faith.
Notre Dame president troubled by questioning of Barrett
The president of the University of Notre Dame is defending Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals following a congressional hearing where senators on both sides of the aisle questioned whether she would follow legal precedent or her own beliefs.
Supporters and opponents dig in over Barrett nomination
The support and opposition to 7th Circuit Court of Appeals nominee Amy Coney Barrett continued following her Wednesday testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
Senators grill Notre Dame law professor nominated for 7th Circuit
Testifying for nearly three hours before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Amy Coney Barrett learned that just as nothing truly disappears from the internet, law journal articles can be found, studied and used to question the thinking of a judicial nominee.
Political reality, tabloid fodder mix in Sen. Menendez trial
It’s a tale of international jet-setting, $1,500-a-night hotel rooms and, for good measure, allegations of affairs with models and actresses. Beyond the tabloid angles, this week’s corruption trial of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and a wealthy friend promises to put the very business of governing under a microscope — and could eventually lead to a Republican taking over his seat in the deeply divided Senate.
Groups urging senators to vote against Barrett nomination
Less than a week before 7th Circuit Court of Appeals nominee Amy Coney Barrett is scheduled to appear for her confirmation hearing with the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, organizations opposing her nomination are urging senators to vote against her confirmation.
Menendez asks for trial schedule to allow Senate votes
New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez has asked the federal judge in his upcoming corruption trial to alter the trial schedule so he can be present for important Senate votes in Washington.
US Senate reschedules hearing for 7th Circuit nominee Barrett
Notre Dame School of Law professor Amy Coney Barrett will appear before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary Sept. 6 for the hearing on her nomination to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Senate subcommittee approves Legal Services Corp funding
As part of a $53.4 billion spending bill, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies voted Tuesday to sustain funding for legal aid.
No Hoosiers in recent round of judicial nominees
Of the 11 nominees tapped Thursday by the White House to fill vacancies on federal district courts, none were for the open seats in Indiana.
FBI nominee says Trump-Russia probe is no ‘witch hunt’
Breaking with the president, the lawyer Donald Trump picked to lead the FBI declared Wednesday that he does not believe a special counsel investigation into possible coordination between Russia and the Trump election campaign is a "witch hunt."
FBI nominee Wray pledges the `impartial pursuit of justice’
Christopher Wray pledged “the impartial pursuit of justice” if confirmed as FBI director, as senators focused on his ability to pursue investigations independently against the backdrop of revelations about a meeting the president’s son held with a Russian lawyer during last year’s campaign.
Comey’s release of Trump memo to newspaper: Was it legal?
When former FBI Director James Comey revealed Thursday that he orchestrated a disclosure of damaging details about his conversations with President Donald Trump, he demonstrated his savvy use of media and his skills as a Washington operator. He also kicked up a hornet's nest of questions about the legal and ethical implications of the move.
Gorsuch may be decisive vote in divisive Supreme Court cases
With Neil Gorsuch's confirmation as the 113th Supreme Court justice on Friday, it won't be long before he starts revealing what he really thinks about a range of hot topics he repeatedly sidestepped during his confirmation hearing.
Senate ‘goes nuclear’ for Gorsuch confirmation vote
The Senate has voted to “go nuclear” and eliminate the filibuster for President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee and future court picks. The change dubbed “the nuclear option” came Thursday on a procedural motion and removes a 60-vote filibuster requirement for Neil Gorsuch. The Senate is expected to confirm the appellate court judge on Friday to fill a vacancy created by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.
Bitter accusations ahead of Senate Supreme Court showdown
Lawmakers traded bitter accusations on the Senate floor Thursday ahead of showdown votes over President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, that could change the Senate and the court for generations.