After 4-Month Hold, Senate OKs Trott to U.S. Appeals Court
The Senate on Thursday confirmed Stephen S. Trott, a top Justice Department official, as a judge on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, ending a four-month hold on the nomination by two senators.
The nomination, approved without debate and by voice vote, had been held up by Sens. Howard M. Metzenbaum (D-Ohio) and Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) since it was reported from the Senate Judiciary Committee on Dec. 3.
The senators delayed action on Trott’s nomination in retaliation for Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III’s refusal to provide information to the committee for its inquiry into possible misconduct by Faith Ryan Whittlesey during her tenure as U.S. ambassador to Switzerland.
A spokeswoman for Metzenbaum said the hold was lifted because the judiciary panel has made progress on an agreement with Justice Department officials to gain access to the information on Whittlesey.
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