The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to favorably report several of President Trump’s judicial and U.S. attorney nominees to the full Senate and held one nominee over, after extended debate in which Democrats raised objections involving experience, past positions and ideological commitments.

Committee members voted to report Whitney Herrmannedorfer, Zachary Bluestone, Joshua (Josh) Devine, Maria Lanahan, Christian Stevens, Bart Davis (U.S. attorney, District of Idaho) and David Metcalfe (U.S. attorney, Eastern District of Pennsylvania). The nomination of Kurt Wall was listed for the first time and was held over for later consideration.

The nominations drew sharp exchanges along party lines. Senator Dick Durbin said the nominees “have demonstrated their commitment to the rule of law and judicial independence,” and urged his colleagues to provide bipartisan support. Senator Richard Blumenthal said several nominees were “outside the mainstream” and described them as “zealots” for their ideological positions. Senator Marsha Blackburn spoke in favor of Whitney Herrmannedorfer, praising her academic and professional credentials and urging the committee to advance her nomination.

Why it matters: confirmations of lifetime federal judgeships and U.S. attorneys shape federal enforcement and jurisprudence for years. Committee votes move nominations to the full Senate for final confirmation or rejection; some nominees here face recorded opposition by Democrats who cited concerns about qualifications, past advocacy, or specific legal positions discussed during hearings.

Key outcomes and debate details

- Whitney Herrmannedorfer, nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, was advanced after debate. Supporters cited her academic record and appellate experience; opponents raised concerns about her relatively short time in private practice and contested positions she has taken in litigation. Senator Durbin said he would vote for her; Senator Blackburn urged advancement and called her “very qualified.” The clerk called the roll and the nomination “will be favorably reported.”

- Zachary Bluestone, a district court nominee, was advanced. Democrats cited the American Bar Association’s inability to complete a rating because of incomplete materials and questioned whether he has sufficient experience for a lifetime appointment; the clerk recorded that Bluestone’s nomination “will be favorably reported.”

- Joshua (Josh) Devine, nominee to a district court, was advanced. Democrats criticized his record as state solicitor general, citing statements and briefs on reproductive rights and a referenced argument in favor of reimposing literacy tests for voting, which critics said reflects extreme views; multiple senators said they would vote no, but the nomination was reported favorably out of committee.

- Maria Lanahan, a district court nominee, was advanced after debate about her role as principal deputy solicitor general in Missouri and litigation challenging access to medication abortion. Senators criticized arguments she made about standing and alleged unfamiliarity with scientific studies cited in FDA approvals; her nomination was reported favorably despite recorded opposition.

- Christian Stevens, a district court nominee, was the most narrowly divided recorded vote in committee. The clerk announced that on Stevens’s nomination the ayes were 12 and the nays were 10; the committee reported his nomination favorably to the full Senate. Critics pointed to a law review article in which Stevens discussed the former 100-to-1 sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine and said he would not characterize January 6 as an “insurrection” in judicial testimony.

- Bart Davis, nominee for U.S. attorney for the District of Idaho, was advanced by voice vote; senators opposing the nomination recorded objections but the chair announced that the ayes had it.

- David Metcalfe, nominee for U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, was advanced by voice vote. Several senators asked to be recorded as voting no and asked for the record to show they would have opposed the nomination, but the clerk announced the nomination would be favorably reported.

- Kurt Wall, listed on the agenda as a U.S. attorney nominee, was held over and not voted on during this session.

Discussion vs. formal action

Committee debate included both substantive questioning and formal roll calls. Several senators used hearing-grounded criticisms to explain planned no votes: concerns cited included short legal experience for lifetime appointments, prior litigation raising constitutional or factual disputes (including positions on birthright citizenship and reproductive medication), and prior writings or statements about sentencing policy and political events. Supporters emphasized academic credentials, clerkships and appellate or solicitor general experience. Formal committee actions reported these nominations to the Senate; in one case (Christian Stevens) the committee recorded a final tally (12–10). Other reported nominations were advanced by roll calls or voice votes as noted above.

What’s next

Each favorably reported nomination proceeds to the full Senate for consideration. The committee’s favorable reports do not guarantee final confirmation; full-Senate debate, cloture votes and potential recorded roll-call votes will determine confirmation.

Ending note: The committee adjourned after completing the reported business and advancing the listed nominations; one nominee was held over for later consideration.