WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today issued statements of support for Debra Brown, whose nomination to be a U.S. District Court Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi gained Senate Judiciary Committee approval on Thursday.

“The Judiciary Committee’s swift approval of Judge Brown is a testament to her character and high qualifications as a jurist,” Wicker said. “Her appointment to the federal bench is a historic moment, and I consider it a personal and high honor to assist in her confirmation.”

“I appreciate the Judiciary Committee’s work on her nomination, and will urge my colleagues in the Senate to confirm Debra Brown as a member of the United States federal judiciary,” Cochran said.  “Debra Brown is well-qualified to serve Mississippi and the nation in this position on the federal bench.”

The Brown nomination was approved by the committee on a bipartisan voice vote.  It is now available for consideration by the full Senate.

Wicker and Cochran introduced Brown and recommended her confirmation at the July 10 Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on her nomination, which was announced by the White House in May.

If confirmed by the Senate, Brown would fill the seat held by the late District Court Judge Allen Pepper.  The Yazoo City native would also become the first African American female federal district judge in Mississippi, and one of two female district court judges in the state.