WASHINGTON, D.C. – With concurrence from U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the Senate Judiciary Committee today recommended the confirmation of Justice James Graves of Mississippi to be a Circuit Court Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

The Graves nomination, approved on a unanimous voice vote, is now available for consideration by the full Senate.  The committee last December recommended Graves for Senate confirmation, but the 111th Congress ended before a vote could be taken.  President Obama resubmitted Graves’ nomination to the Senate earlier this month.

Prior to today’s action, Cochran and Wicker provided the Judiciary Committee with notice of their continued support for Graves.  The Mississippi Senators also introduced Graves at his confirmation hearing last September.

“Unfortunately, the clock ran out on Justice Graves’ nomination in December, but I expect the Senate to quickly confirm him for this important position on the federal bench,” Cochran said. 

“Today’s approval by the Judiciary Committee is welcome news,” Wicker said.  “However, any further delays to Justice Graves’ nomination are unacceptable. Justice Graves has been thoroughly considered for this important position, and he has received widespread support.”

Graves currently serves as a Presiding Justice on the Mississippi Supreme Court.  A native of Clinton, Miss., Graves was a Circuit Court Judge in Hinds County before being appointed to the Mississippi Supreme Court in 2001.  He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Millsaps College, a law degree from the Syracuse University College of Law and a Master of Public Administration degree from Syracuse University.

###