Senate confirms Trump judicial pick Grasz

WASHINGTON — The Latest on the Senate confirmation battle over one of President Donald Trump's judicial nominees. (all times EST):

5 p.m.

The Senate has voted along party lines to confirm another of President Donald Trump's judicial nominees despite a rare "not qualified" rating from the American Bar Association.

The Senate voted 50-48 to confirm Leonard Steven Grasz to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit.

Grasz served for more than 11 years as Nebraska's chief deputy attorney general.

Some liberal advocacy groups fear Grasz will be hostile to abortion rights and laws protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination.

But Republican lawmakers say Grasz has support from prominent Nebraskans in both political parties and is committed to fairness.

The ABA rated Grasz as "not qualified" after hearing concerns that strongly held social views would keep him from having an unbiased view on critical issues before the court.
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1 p.m.

Senate Republicans are on track to confirm one of President Donald Trump's judicial nominees despite a rare "not qualified" rating from the American Bar Association.

A vote is scheduled Tuesday on Trump's choice of Leonard Steven Grasz to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit.
Grasz served for more than 11 years as Nebraska's chief deputy attorney general and also was general counsel to the Nebraska Republican Party. In one opinion he helped craft, he said the legacy of the landmark abortion rights ruling Roe v. Wade was its "moral bankruptcy."

Some liberal advocacy groups fear that Grasz will be hostile to abortion rights and laws protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination.
 

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The Gayly 12/12/2018 @4:06 p.m.