The Senate voted 73 to 24 on Tuesday to confirm former Senate legal counsel Thomas B. Griffith to a seat on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The D.C. Circuit is considered by many to be the second most important court in the country, after the U.S. Supreme Court. It is often seen as the "stepping stone" to the high court.

The D.C. Circuit hears a significant number of Indian law cases, including the Cobell v. Norton trust fund case and lawsuits over federal agency actions.

Tribes have not taken a stand on any of the D.C. Circuit nominees but opposed Bill Myers for a seat on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, citing his record on sacred sites, sovereignty and the trust relationship. Myers has been blocked by a Democratic filibuster.

Get the Story:
Senate confirms Griffith for court (The Salt Lake Tribune 6/15)
Griffith Gets Senate Nod For Appeals Court Seat (AP 6/15)
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Relevant Links:
Judicial nominees, Department of Justice site - http://www.usdoj.gov/olp/judicialnominations.htm

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)

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