Senate confirms equal employment nominees

The Senate confirmed two nominations to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

On Wednesday, the Senate voted 93-2 to confirm the nomination of Charlotte Burrows to be a member of the EEOC. 

{mosads}P. David Lopez was also confirmed Wednesday on a 53-43 vote to continue serving as general counsel of EEOC.

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) opposed Lopez’s re-nomination, saying he has pursued “frivolous” lawsuits that have resulted in wasting taxpayer money.

“During his time as general counsel, Mr. Lopez has been chiefly responsible for the agency’s pursuit of high-profile lawsuits that have been rebuked by the courts — and taxpayers are paying the cost of these rebukes,” Alexander said.

The Senate is considering nominations while it waits for House legislation to keep the government funded past Dec. 11, to extend tax breaks for one year and to authorize defense spending.

With Republicans taking control of the upper chamber next year, Democrats are more motivated than ever to clear as many of Obama’s executive and judicial nominations as possible before adjourning for the year.

 The Senate also ended debate on three judicial nominations. Their confirmation votes are expected around 5:30 p.m. A list of these nominees follows:

– David Hale to be a U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky

– Mark Kearney to be a U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania 

– Gerald Pappert to be a U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

— This article was updated at 11:45 a.m.