Senate votes to confirm judicial nominations

The Senate confirmed two judicial nominations Tuesday.

John E. Dowdell was confirmed on a 95-0 vote to be a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

“Although it seems I oppose many of the president’s judicial nominations, I can say with confidence that this is not the case with Mr. Dowdell,” Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) said on the floor before the vote Tuesday. “Dowdell has stated that he does not agree that the Constitution is a living document.

“I only wish we’d get more of this type of judicial nominee from this administration.”

After that vote, the Senate confirmed Jesus G. Bernal to be a U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California by voice-vote.

“I’m very excited to rise in strong support of Jesus Bernal,” Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said before the vote Tuesday. “He’s going to make an amazing judge.”

---