The Senate Judiciary Committee today voted unanimously to approve the confirmation of Idaho Judge David Nye to be the state’s next U.S. District judge; that sends the nomination to the full Senate for consideration.

Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, who along with fellow Idaho Sen. Jim Risch, has been championing the nomination, said in a statement, “I thank Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Feinstein for prompt action on Judge Nye’s nomination.  … The panel’s endorsement of Judge Nye last year and today demonstrates his strong credentials and outstanding service to the legal community.  I will be working closely with my Senate colleagues to advance Judge Nye through the full Senate and hope he can be confirmed quickly.”

Risch said, “I am grateful to my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee, including Mike Crapo, for making Judge Nye’s approval a priority on their panel. Judge Nye is a sound and principled jurist who has my full confidence. I look forward to seeing his nomination come before the full Senate, where I will strongly advocate for his confirmation."

Idaho has been down to just one active federal district judge since longtime Judge Edward Lodge took senior status on July 3, 2015. The federal court system has declared a judicial emergency in Idaho due to the shortage of judges, and visiting judges have been brought in from other states to hear cases.