First, Second Circuit Nominees Approved in Senate Committee (1)

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance two President Joe Biden appellate picks, moving both nominees with public defender backgrounds to consideration by the full chamber.

US District Judge Sarah Merriam, who is nominated to the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and Rhode Island Public Defender Lara Montecalvo, who is nominated to the First Circuit, each received 12-10 votes Thursday from the committee.

They were supported by all the committee Democrats, plus Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who has voted to advance most Biden judicial nominees in committee.

Prior to becoming a federal judge in the District of ...