Senate OKs 2 Obama nominees

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Democrats overwhelmed outnumbered Republicans and pushed a pair of President Barack Obama’s high-profile nominees through the Senate on Tuesday, the first to win confirmation since the chamber weakened the age-old filibuster.

By 56-38, senators confirmed attorney Patricia Millett to join the influential U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Her approval tilts that circuit’s judges 5-4 toward those appointed by Democratic presidents, an important advantage for a court that rules on White House and federal agency actions.

The Senate then used a 57-41 roll call to confirm Rep. Mel Watt, D-N.C., to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency. That bureau oversees the two giant taxpayer-owned home lenders, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Watt’s approval came after Democrats took advantage of the eased rules for ending filibusters, and senators voted 57-40 to halt GOP delays that had blocked his nomination since Obama announced it in May.

Later, senators voted 56-42 to end a filibuster against the nomination of attorney Cornelia “Nina” Pillard for another vacancy on the D.C. circuit. Her confirmation was expected later this week.