Dec 15, 2020 - Politics & Policy

Senate confirms Amy Coney Barrett's replacement on federal appeals court

Rebecca Falconer

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana Thomas Kirsch II is sworn in during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee — Thomas Kirsch during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in November. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Indiana prosecutor Thomas Kirsch as Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett's replacement to sit on a federal appeals court in Chicago.

Why it matters: He's the latest Trump-appointed district judge the Senate has confirmed since Election Day, breaking with a tradition that's previously seen no nominees appointed when a lame-duck president is in office.

Of note: The 51-44 vote was mainly along party lines, with three Democrats voting for Kirsch, who currently serves as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Indiana. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris did not cast her vote. Neither did four Republican senators.

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Senate confirms Amy Coney Barrett's replacement on federal appeals court

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