The Senate voted 55 to 43 on Wednesday to confirm Texas judge Priscilla R. Owen to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Owen is the first judge to receive an up-or-down vote under a compromise reached by a bipartisan group of senators. Two more nominees -- former Alabama attorney general William Pryor Jr. for the 11th Circuit and California judge Janice Rogers Brown for the D.C. Circuit -- will also receive votes.

Still in limbo is Bill Myers, the Interior Department's former solicitor who has been nominated for a seat on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. He was not included in the Senate deal.

For Owen, the 5th Circuit hears cases affecting tribes in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. It has ruled that Texas tribes gave up their sovereign rights to engage in gaming when they received federal recognition. It also ruled that Texas tribes can be sued for allegedly violating state laws.

Get the Story:
Priscilla Owen Confirmed as Federal Judge (The Washington Post 5/26)
pwpwd
Owen Made Her Mark, And Vocal Enemies, As a Justice in Texas (The Washington Post 5/26)
GOP Tilting Balance Of Power to the Right (The Washington Post 5/26)
Senate Backs First of Judicial Nominees Promised a Vote (The New York Times 5/26)
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For a New Judge, Self-Reliance in Her Life and in the Law (The New York Times 5/26)

Relevant Documents:
Inspector General Letter | NCAI Resolution | Environmental Group's Letter | Holland & Hart Biography

Indianz.Com Profile:
Industry insider named to Interior (March 30, 2001)

From the Indianz.Com Archive:
Myers reversing sacred site opinion (10/25)
Bush nominee has no 'agenda' on Clinton decisions (6/21)

Relevant Links:
Judicial nominees, Department of Justice site - http://www.usdoj.gov/olp/judicialnominations.htm

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