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Senate questions Kentucky and Montana district court nominees on pardons, abortion defense and past roles
Summary
In the hearing’s second panel, nominees for two U.S. district courts — Chad Meredith (E.D. Kentucky) and William Mercer (D. Montana) — described their records as senators asked about Gov. Matt Bevin’s controversial pardons, Meredith’s role in defending state abortion regulations, and Mercer’s prior service at DOJ and in Montana government.
WASHINGTON — During the second panel of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, members questioned two district court nominees about past official actions, controversial pardons issued by Kentucky’s governor and their records defending state laws.
Chad Meredith, nominated to be U.S. district judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and William Mercer, nominated for the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, each made brief opening statements and then answered senators’ questions about episodes from their government service.
Why it matters: District judges hear trials and make fact‑bound decisions that can shape local enforcement and rights. Questions raised at confirmation hearings — including about pardons, legislation defended in court, and prosecutorial conduct — speak to nominees’ prior roles in government and how they will…
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