The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday finally endorsed Dee Benson to become Utah's fifth federal district judge.
Benson's nomination had been delayed for more than a month after he and 16 other judicial nominees became pawns in a fight between Sens. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., and Arlen Specter, R-Pa.Kennedy last month delayed the confirmation of a Pennsylvania nominee supported by Specter because the vote on the nominee was scheduled only one day after his confirmation hearing, and often-ignored committee rules normally require a week.
In retaliation, Specter postponed votes on all the other pending nominees - including Benson. The vote finally came Thursday before the committee began its third day of confirmation hearings on Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas.
Benson's nomination was approved on a voice vote in committee and goes to the full Senate. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who gave the committee a strong endorsement of Benson, said the full Senate could vote on Benson's nomination as early as late Thursday.
Benson is the U.S. attorney for Utah. He is a former top aide to Hatch, who fought to create the new judgeship through anti-drug legislation last year.