Sessions defends deputy after impeachment move
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions defended his top deputy Thursday after a handful of congressional Republicans moved this week to impeach him.<
U.S. Senate
Articles
Democrats fault Kavanaugh comment on independent counsel law
Democrats opposing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination are seizing on remarks he made in 2016 saying he would like to put the “final nail” in a Supreme Court precedent upholding an independent counsel law as constitutional. Republicans are pushing back, saying Kavanaugh’s comment is being distorted.
Supreme Court nominee’s paper trail might color confirmation
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s opponents are digging through documents at President George W. Bush’s library in Texas and other repositories around the country looking for anything that could help derail his nomination. The trail of documents is extensive, as Kavanaugh spent five years in the Bush White House and 12 years as a federal judge.
Barnes partner tapped to fill last Indiana vacancy in federal judiciary
Damon R. Leichty, partner in the South Bend office of Barnes & Thornburg LLP, has been nominated to serve as a judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, potentially filling the last empty seat in the federal judiciary in Indiana. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Leichty will fill the vacancy created when Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr., took senior status in January 2016.
Kavanaugh to address his past work involving Clinton, Bush
Before his Senate confirmation hearing, President Donald Trump’s pick for the Supreme Court will need to provide information about his past experience investigating President Bill Clinton and working for President George W. Bush. Requests for that information are included in questionnaires sent to Brett Kavanaugh by the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, who will lead the confirmation hearing.
Senate Democrats vow to block Trump SCOTUS pick Kavanaugh
Democratic senators from Connecticut and Michigan on Friday announced opposition to President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, saying Brett Kavanaugh’s judicial record clearly shows that he would limit access to health care and curtail environmental protections.
Who are Trump’s top Supreme Court contenders?
President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nomination is expected on Monday, with three federal judges leading the pack. Here's a look at who they are (plus three more who haven’t been completely counted out just yet):
Barrett among 4 SCOTUS contenders Trump has interviewed
President Donald Trump has interviewed four prospective Supreme Court justices so far, including Notre Dame law professor and 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Trump said Tuesday he expects to interview two to three more contenders as his nominee to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy.
Trump interviews 4 for Supreme Court, 2-3 more to go
President Donald Trump interviewed four prospective Supreme Court justices Monday and planned to speak with a few more, as he powered forward with a speedy selection process to fill the fresh vacancy.
Indiana’s Barrett a top contender in brewing Supreme Court battle
With another seat opening on the U.S. Supreme Court, Notre Dame Law School professor and 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Amy Coney Barrett is being viewed as a leading contender on President Donald Trump’s list of potential nominees.
Indiana nominees Brady, Hanlon join others awaiting confirmation
After receiving approval Thursday from the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, the pair of nominees to Indiana’s two district courts are now advancing to the floor of Senate, but when they will be called for a confirmation vote is uncertain.
Vote on Indiana federal judicial nominees held over
The nominees for the Northern and Southern Indiana district courts will have to wait at least another week before they receive a vote from the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. The committee unanimously agreed Thursday to hold over a host of nominees to the federal bench, including Holly Brady and James Patrick Hanlon, nominees for the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts, respectively.
Kentucky man sentenced to 30 days for assault on congressman
A Kentucky man who had “had enough” of his congressman neighbor edging too close to his yard has been sentenced to 30 days in prison after he ran onto Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul’s property and tackled him. Rene A. Boucher, 60, after he assaulted Paul on Nov. 3, 2017.
Federal judge nominees face questions over juror race issue
At Wednesday’s U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearing for the five nominees to the federal district bench, including the nominees for the Northern and Southern Indiana district courts, the table of potential judges was more crowded than the dais where the senators usually sit.
Brady, Hanlon to testify before judiciary committee
Two Indiana attorneys seeking appointment to the U.S. district courts for the Northern and Southern District of Indiana will be appearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary on Wednesday as candidates to fill current and future vacancies on the federal bench.
IU McKinney professor to testify before Senate on opioid crisis
An Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law professor is headed to Washington, D.C., to testify before the U.S. Senate about his work combatting the ongoing opioid crisis. Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly announced Tuesday that IU McKinney professor Nicolas P. Terry will testify before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging.
Senate confirmation votes give 7th Circuit full bench
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has a full bench after Monday’s confirmation of the final two judicial nominees, Judge Amy St. Eve and Michael Scudder. Members of the U.S. Senate approved St. Eve and Scudder in rare bipartisan votes of 91-0 and 90-0, respectively.
In Elkhart, Trump urges GOP to mobilize for 2018 midterms
Embracing his role as party leader, President Donald Trump issued a stern warning at an Elkhart rally Thursday that Democrats would disrupt the economic progress of his administration, imploring Republicans to mobilize during the 2018 midterm elections.
Senate panel advances bill protecting special counsel
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to protect special counsel Robert Mueller’s job, putting the matter in the hands of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has said he won’t let the bill reach Senate floor.
7th Circuit nominees get bipartisan support in committee vote
With 21-to-0 vote, Judge Amy St. Eve and Michael Scudder, the nominees for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, were approved Thursday by the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Their nominations now proceed to the Senate for a confirmation vote at date to be determined.