With the Senate on recess, an empty Senate Judiciary Committee, with only Chairman Richard Durbin (D-IL) physically present, holds a judicial nominations hearing for Anthony Johnstone, nominated to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/ALM
President Joe Biden’s picks for seats on a federal appeals court and several trial courts cruised through their confirmation hearings Wednesday as the Senate Judiciary Committee pushed forward with hearings during the two-week recess.
The hearings came as the November midterm elections loom, along with the possibility that Democrats may lose control of the Senate. Sen. Dick Durbin opened the hearing by noting that when Republicans were in control of the committee under former President Donald Trump, the panel held hearings during several recesses.
