Former Representative John McHugh (R-NY) has been confirmed as Army Secretary despite concerns raised by the BJC and others over his church-state record. Senators from Kansas had – for unrelated reasons – placed a hold on McHugh's nomination, but removed it yesterday, clearing the way for his confirmation by voice vote in the full Senate.
Meanwhile, some judicial appointments are finally making their way through the confirmation process. A decision barring the Indiana House's practice of opening sessions with distinctly Christian prayers, however, seems to be a sticking point in the nomination of Judge David Hamilton to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. He made it through the Judiciary Committee, and is supported by Democratic and Republican lawmakers, but a hold by at least one Senator has kept him from receiving a vote.
I remain unsure how the practice of Senate holds really gibes with the whole democracy thing, but am educable…
