This afternoon, the U.S. Senate confirmed Peter Phipps to fill a vacant seat on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit with a vote of 56-40. Notably, Senators Bennet, Booker, Gillibrand, and Harris, all candidates for the Democratic nomination for president, did not participate in the vote. Phipps is the 43rd circuit court judge to be confirmed by the Senate since President Trump entered office.

Following his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, Chairman Lindsay Graham called Phipps “one of the most impressive nominees for the U.S. Circuit Courts that has appeared before the Committee.”

141 current and known future federal judicial vacancies remain. 6 of those seats are Court of Appeals positions, and 135 are District or Specialty Courts positions. Furthermore, there are 58 pending nominations for current and known future vacancies consisting of 2 Court of Appeals positions and 56 District or Specialty Courts positions.