Senate confirms McHugh to serve in 10th Circuit

The Senate voted 98-0 to confirm Carolyn McHugh to be a U.S. circuit judge for the 10th Circuit.

“She is exactly the kind of outstanding nominee that I sought out to find for this vacancy,” Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said Tuesday. “She has extensive experience both before and behind the bench. … I know a first-rate nominee when I see one.”

The Senate used nearly all 30 hours of debate on the nominee.

Democrats used their time to stage an all-night talkathon on climate change Monday to Tuesday. 

Republicans have been forcing Democrats to vote to end debate and run out the clock on most of President Obama’s executive and judicial nominees since the filibuster rules were changed. Democrats unilaterally changed the Senate filibuster rules through the “nuclear option” last year. Now only a simply majority is needed to advance most nominees, rather than the 60 votes previously needed.

On Monday, the Senate voted 62-34 to end debate on McHugh’s nomination.