A White House lawyer has won Senate confirmation as a federal appeals court judge despite complaints by lawmakers from both parties about his record on immigration, race, women's equality and LGBTQ rights.
Steven Menashi, an associate White House counsel, was confirmed on Thursday by a 51-41 vote for a seat on the New York-based 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals.
Maine Sen. Susan Collins was the sole Republican to oppose Menashi, a 40-year-old New Yorker who has never tried a case or argued an appeal.
Republicans and Democrats complained that Menashi failed to answer questions at his nomination hearing, and Collins joined Democrats in criticizing Menashi's record on a range of issues, including immigration, race, women's equality and LGBTQ rights.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York called Menashi a "disgrace" and "one of the most contemptible nominees to come before the Senate" in more than 20 years.
As a lawyer for Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Menashi "helped cook up an illegal scheme to use the Social Security data of students swindled by for-profit colleges in order to deny them debt relief," Schumer said, noting that a federal judge ruled the plan violated federal privacy laws.
Schumer, who has railed against many judicial appointments by President Donald Trump, said Menashi stands out as extreme, unqualified and "almost craven. If there was ever anyone who was too far, it's Menashi.''
"After careful consideration ... I do not believe he is well-suited to serve on the federal bench."
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