Pence casts tie-breaking vote to confirm Kobes to 8th Circuit

The Senate yesterday voted to confirm Jonathan A. Kobes to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit by a 50 to 50 vote, with Vice President Pence breaking the tie.  Kobes is the second Trump appointment to the 8th Circuit to receive a “not qualified” rating from the A.B.A.  The ratings committee cited a lack of experience and a lack of “evidence of his ability to fulfill the scholarly writing required of a United States circuit court judge.”  Kobes is currently general counsel to Sen. Mike Rounds (R – South Dakota) and is a graduate of Harvard Law School.