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West Kentucky Judge Confirmed To U.S. Court Of Appeals In D.C.

Courtesy U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell's Office

The U.S. Senate in a split vote earlier today confirmed Western District of KentuckyDistrict Judge Justin Walker to join the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, a top federal appeals court.

The Associated Press reports a 51-42 vote June 18 in favor of Walker’s confirmation was split nearly along party lines. Democrats reportedly objected to the nomination of the 38-year-old, saying he’s inexperienced and biased against the Obama health care law. Walker will join the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Sept. 

 

The AP also reports the court is widely considered the second-most powerful in the nation and frequently serves as a launching pad for a seat on the Supreme Court. Four current justices served on the D.C. circuit.

 

U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell said in a statement, “My fellow Kentuckians and I are sorry to part with this son of the Bluegrass. But mostly, we are proud, because Judge Walker will be putting his legal brilliance and his exceptional judicial temperament to work not just for his home state, but for our entire nation, and in even more consequential ways. I look forward to voting to confirm Judge Justin Walker and I urge each of my colleagues to do the same.”

 

U.S. Senator Rand Paul also issued a statement following the confirmation saying, “Already, Judge Walker has proven how seriously he takes his oath to the Constitution, and I have been proud to support his nomination throughout this process. I am confident he will continue to serve our nation well.”

Rachel’s interest in journalism began early in life, reading newspapers while sitting in the laps of her grandparents. Those interactions ignited a thirst for language and stories, and she recalls getting caught more than once as a young girl hiding under the bed covers with a flashlight and book because she just couldn’t stop reading.
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