Senate Confirms 3 Federal Judges

In its first order of business of the new year, the Senate confirmed three federal judges, easing the confrontation between the administration and Congress over a backlog in handling nominations. Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said: “I would note that this body has undertaken its constitutional obligation in a wholly appropriate fashion.” In a vote of 67 to 30, Ann L. Aiken was confirmed for a U.S. District Court seat in Oregon. The Senate also approved by voice vote the nominations of Richard W. Story for a District Court seat in northern Georgia and Barry G. Silverman for the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in the West.