Washington, D.C. - Courthouses in Pittsburgh and Erie are one step closer to having judicial vacancies filled as two nominees supported by U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.). were approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee today.
Judge Susan P. Baxter and Judge Marilyn J. Horan were nominated by the president in July to the federal district court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Sens. Casey and Toomey introduced and endorsed them at the committee confirmation hearing in December.
In the last five years, Sens. Casey and Toomey have worked together, in a bipartisan fashion, to fill vacancies on the federal bench in Pennsylvania. Together, they have vetted, recommended, and worked to confirm 14 Federal District Court Judges and two Judges for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Only two states -- California and New York -- have had more judges confirmed during this time.
“I’m pleased that the Judiciary Committee has reported out the nominations of Judge Susan P. Baxter and Judge Marilyn J. Horan, both of whom have been nominated to the federal district court for the Western District of Pennsylvania,” Senator Casey said. Judge Baxter has been an excellent jurist during her two decades as a Federal Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Judge Marilyn Horan has spent her legal career serving the people of Western Pennsylvania and will do excellent work on the federal bench in the Western District of Pennsylvania. It is my hope and expectation that the Judiciary Committee will also quickly report out the nominations of Judge John M. Younge, who has been nominated to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Judge Robert J. Colville, who has been nominated to the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. I worked with Senator Toomey to recommend Judges Baxter, Horan, Younge, and Colville to the White House as a bipartisan package. This is consistent with the practice Senator Toomey and I have followed successfully in securing the confirmation of 14 Federal District Court judges and two Third Circuit judges over the past five years. All four are highly qualified candidates and I urge the Senate to move forward with their nominations in the coming weeks.”
"I am delighted that Judges Baxter and Horan are one step closer to Senate confirmation with the Judiciary Committee’s favorable action today,” said Sen. Toomey. “It’s an honor to work with Sen. Casey on a bipartisan basis to recommend Pennsylvanians who have the acumen, integrity, and respect for the limited role of the judiciary that they need to excel as federal judges. And we have had great success over the years.
“I am especially glad to see progress in confirming a judge who will sit in the federal courthouse in Erie, which has been vacant for 2 ½ years.
“I hope the Judiciary Committee also will approve Judge Robert J. Colville to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and Judge John M. Younge to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.”
Timing of a vote by the Senate is uncertain.
Judge Susan Paradise Baxter: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Judge Susan Paradise Baxter has served as United States Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Pennsylvania from 1995 to the present, serving as Chief Magistrate Judge from 2005 to 2009. Prior to her appointment as a Magistrate Judge, Judge Baxter worked as the Court Solicitor for the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County, was a partner at the Washington, D.C. law firm of Cole, Raywid & Braverman (now Davis Wright Tremaine LLP). Judge Baxter received her J.D. from Temple University School of Law in 1983, a M.Ed. from Temple University in 1980, and a B.S. from Pennsylvania State University in 1978.
Judge Marilyn Jean Horan: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Judge Marilyn Jean Horan has been a judge on the Court of Common Pleas for Butler County since 1996. Judge Horan currently serves in the civil division. During her tenure on the bench, Judge Horan has also presided over criminal and family law cases. Previously, from 1979 to 1996, Judge Horan worked at the law firm of Murrin, Taylor, Flach & Horan, where she was elevated to partner in 1982. Judge Horan received her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1979, and her B.A. magna cum laude from Pennsylvania State University in 1976.
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