So much for the opposition and attempts of one environmental group to block the Senate confirmation of Oklahoma Supreme Court justice Patrick Wyrick to be a federal judge.
The U.S. Senate voted 63-57 along party lines on Tuesday to confirm Wyrick to become a U.S. District Court Judge in Oklahoma City. As OK Energy Today reported this week, the League of Conservation Voters sent letters to senators asking them to reject his confirmation because of his close ties to former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.
But Wyrick had the support of Oklahoma U.S. Sens. James Lankford and Jim Inhofe.
“A year ago, President Trump nominated Justice Wyrick to serve our nation on the federal bench,” said Lankford. “Today, the Senate finally confirmed his nomination. I am grateful to State Supreme Court Justice Wyrick for his patience and his willingness to continue to serve our state and nation. I am glad that qualified nominees are now able to get a Senate vote so they can get to work.”
“I am pleased the Senate made the right choice to confirm Patrick Wyrick today,” said Inhofe. “His service to Oklahoma and his deep roots in the state provide him a well-rounded background to serve the Western District well. As a Justice on the Oklahoma Supreme Court and former Solicitor General for the State of Oklahoma, Justice Wyrick values the Constitutional role of the judiciary. This seat has been vacant since July of 2013, yet Democrat obstruction led to Patrick’s nomination stalling on the Senate floor last Congress. Thanks to the recent Senate rules change, his nomination was able to be swiftly considered during this Congress and I look forward to his tenure on the federal bench.”
President Trump nominated Wyrick April 10, 2018, but after the Senate failed to act on his nomination before the end of the 115th Congress, it was sent back to the White House (along with many others) to start over in the 116th Congress.
Last week, the Senate voted to amend the rules to reduce debate time on nominations for lower level courts from 56 hours to 24 hours, a proposal introduced by Lankford based off of a precedent set by then-Majority Leader Harry Reid in 2013. In May 2018, Lankford introduced Wyrick at his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing.
