The Senate confirmed three judges to federal courts late Monday afternoon, including the first Asian-American woman on any federal appellate court.
The Senate voted 91-3 to confirm Vietnam-born Los Angeles federal Judge Jacqueline Nguyen to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, filling a vacancy that had remained open since 2009.
Nguyen's confirmation was expected, as she was part of a March deal among Senate leaders to confirm 14 noncontroversial judicial nominees by this summer. The Senate Judiciary Committee had approved her nomination unanimously.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said on the Senate floor Monday that Nguyen has an inspiring life story, as detailed in The National Law Journal's sister paper, The Recorder.
The Senate also confirmed two judges by voice votes: Kristine Gerhard Baker to be District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and John Lee to be District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois.
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