Senate confirms Trump's pick for 9th Circuit over objections of Feinstein and Harris
WASHINGTON _ The Senate confirmed Los Angeles litigator Kenneth Kiyul Lee to a California seat on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday over the objections of Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris.
Harris and Feinstein have accused Lee of failing to initially disclose to the Senate Judiciary Committee his past writings decrying sexual harassment, gays, AIDS and affirmative action. They were uncovered by reporters and committee staff.
During his confirmation hearing in March, Republicans appeared satisfied with Lee's apology for his youthful writings.
Lee is the fifth circuit court nominee approved by the Senate over the objections of home-state senators since President Donald Trump took office. Neither Harris nor Feinstein returned their "blue slips" for Lee's nomination to signal their support for a judicial nomination in their home state.
Historically, failing to return the slips would have stalled a candidate's nomination indefinitely, but Senate Republicans focused on confirming Trump's court picks have trudged ahead confirming judicial nominees without the sign of support.
It's a change in tradition that is likely to continue. Lee is the first of three men Trump nominated to fill vacant California seats on the 9th Circuit over Feinstein's and Harris' objections.
Lee, a South Korean immigrant, attended Cornell University as an undergraduate and earned a law degree at Harvard University. He worked on Capitol Hill and in the George W. Bush White House as associate counsel before entering private practice.
_Los Angeles Times
