The U.S. Senate has confirmed U.S. District Judge Andrew Brasher to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, which handles cases filed in Georgia, Florida and Alabama.
Tuesday afternoon’s 52-43 vote fell strictly along party lines.
A coalition of civil rights groups had opposed Brasher's nomination, pointing to his record on voting rights and abortion while serving as Alabama's solicitor general. But Republicans who control the Senate banded together to ensure Brasher was confirmed.
President Donald Trump has now appointed a majority of judges serving on the 11th Circuit panel.
“This is an alarming milestone that has serious implications for the voting rights of the people within those states, which happen to be three of the states where voting is most under attack -- especially in communities of color,” a statement from progressive advocacy organization People for the American Way said. “It is simply no accident that Brasher, one of the most die-hard voting rights opponents among Trump nominees, is joining a critical mass of other Trump judges in a circuit that will be pivotal in the next election.”
The Democratic Party of Georgia also criticized Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler for voting with Republicans to confirm Brasher.
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