The Senate confirmed Maria Lanahan, a federal judge appointed by President Trump, in a 52-45 vote on Tuesday. Lanahan, principal deputy solicitor general in the Missouri attorney general’s office, will serve on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. The confirmation solidified the court’s status as a “conservative stronghold,” according to Reuters.
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) praised Lanahan, highlighting her expertise and dedication to the Constitution during his time as Missouri attorney general. He credited President Trump for prioritizing Missouri’s judicial bench and emphasized the swift approval of four Trump nominees for the Eastern District of Missouri.
Lanahan’s role in advocating for Missouri’s strict abortion ban and challenging access to mifepristone underscored her conservative legal stance. The Senate’s vote marked the culmination of efforts by Republican senators Josh Hawley and Schmitt to reshape the district’s ideological balance.
The confirmation came amid broader political maneuvering, as Senate Republicans sought to expedite the approval of Trump’s executive branch nominees. Senate Majority Leader John Thune signaled plans to revise Senate rules, potentially using the “nuclear option” to bypass Democratic delays and accelerate confirmations. The push follows months of obstruction by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has blocked over 100 executive branch nominees.
A working group led by Thune included Republican senators Katie Britt, James Lankford, Ron Johnson, Eric Schmitt, and Ted Budd, aiming to address the backlog of stalled nominations.
