Senate approves US district judicial nomination for Iowa

The Senate confirmed the nomination of Stephanie Marie Rose to be a U.S. district judge for the Southern District of Iowa on Monday.

The 89-1 vote was the first since Senate lawmakers returned from the August recess.

“Rose possesses an abundance of both personal and professional qualities we look for in those who serve on the bench,” Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) said before the vote on Monday.

According to an administration official, President Obama has had 72 female federal judges confirmed in his first term — the same number President George W. Bush had during his entire presidency.

Rose will be the first woman to serve on the Southern District Court of Iowa.

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) voted against her nomination.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) pointed out that there are still 18 pending district court nominees on the Senate calendar, and said he hopes Republicans agree to let them pass soon. Leahy has continuously said President Obama has been treated differently than any of his predecessors in terms of obstruction of judicial nominees.

Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member, Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) disagreed with Leahy’s assessment saying, “Republicans have been more than fair to the President and his judicial nominees.”

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