The Senate confirmed two judges for the Northern District of New York on Wednesday, including former U.S. Congressman Anthony Brindisi and Elizabeth C. Coombe, the first assistant U.S. attorney for the district. The confirmations were narrow, with votes of 50-49 for Brindisi and 52-45 for Coombe.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., praised Brindisi’s qualifications, noting his background as a former member of Congress and a judge on the New York State Court of Claims. Brindisi, who served New York’s 22nd Congressional District from 2019 to 2021, emphasized his ability to listen to all parties involved in legal cases, a skill he said he developed in Congress and brought with him to the bench.
Coombe, who has served in the Northern District of New York’s Albany office since 2003, was lauded for her pioneering work as the first woman to become federal criminal chief for the district. Schumer highlighted her long history of success in criminal prosecution and her dedication to the region.
