WASHINGTON -- The nominations of North Carolina judges Albert Diaz and James Wynn overwhelmingly passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, putting them on track for confirmation by the full Senate.
President Barack Obama nominated Diaz of Charlotte and Wynn of Raleigh in November for the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, a step below the U.S. Supreme Court.
If both men win confirmation, North Carolina would triple its representation on the court.
The vote on Wynn was 18-1, with Republican U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma opposed. The vote for Diaz was unanimous.
It's unclear when the nominations might be scheduled for a full-floor vote. There now are eight pending Circuit Court nominees for the full Senate, but there has yet to be agreement between Republicans and Democrats on securing floor time for debate.
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