Biden Ninth Circuit Nominee Breezes Through Hearing Amid Recess

A Biden nominee for a Montana seat on the largest federal appeals court breezed through a confirmation hearing that took place during a Senate recess.

University of Montana law professor Anthony Devos Johnstone, nominated to the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, faced few questions from lawmakers during the Wednesday Judiciary Committee hearing, which took place in a hybrid remote and in-person format.

Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who appeared in person, defended the hearing schedule with lawmakers out of town campaigning for November midterms. He said Republicans did the same during similar breaks in September 2017, October ...