Potential changes in the 4th Circuit court provoke angst

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By Mark Johnson | Charlotte Observer

George Holding, the Republican-appointed U.S. attorney for North Carolina's eastern district, expressed some angst over changes in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, which includes North Carolina.

Holding was attending the conservative Federalists Society annual convention in Washington last week when he stepped to the microphone to ask a question of U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, a Republican from Alabama, National Law Journal reports.

"I'm concerned about the changing makeup of the 4th Circuit," said Holding, who was appointed by then-President George W. Bush.

Sessions said he was bothered by the criminal case rulings of a Maryland nominee but indicated Republicans are not eager to block many judges.

"We've resisted filibusters of judges, thinking it's not a good idea," Sessions said.

The White House has announced four nominees for the 4th Circuit, based in Richmond, Va., two of whom are from North Carolina.

Read the complete story at charlotteobserver.com

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