The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has approved the nomination of a Vermont state judge to become the state’s next federal judge.
Senator Patrick Leahy’s office says the nomination of Judge Christina Reiss (of Essex Junction was passed yesterday without discussion on a voice vote.
The nomination now must be confirmed by the full Senate.
The 47-year-old Reiss became a Vermont state judge in 2004.
President Barack Obama nominated Reiss for the seat after she was recommended by Senator Leahy.
Reiss would succeed U.S. District Court Judge J. Garvan Murtha who is taking senior status, which means he will no longer hear cases full time.