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.

Despite the Senate's progress with these judicial confirmations, time constraints are causing delays for other nominees. Tali Farhadian Weinstein, nominated for the Southern District of New York, and Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood, renominated to the District of Guam, have not yet been formally submitted to the Senate. With the Senate set to adjourn on December 20, these nominations are unlikely to be confirmed before the end of the year.

Additionally, two district judges recently reversed their decisions to take senior status following the election. U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn Jr. of North Carolina, who had initially planned to retire, changed his mind after not receiving a nomination for his replacement. This shift has sparked criticism from Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who accused Judge Cogburn of political maneuvering. Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge Frank DeArmon Whitney, nominated by President George W. Bush, announced he would take senior status on December 1, opening up a seat for President Trump’s appointee.