Washington - U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today voted in the Senate to approve Magistrate Judges Claire Cecchi and Esther Salas for vacant seats on the U.S. District Court for New Jersey. The Senators recommended Cecchi and Salas to President Obama for nomination last year.Judge Cecchi brings significant legal experience to the bench and a background of working with children in New Jersey communities. Judge Salas was the first Latina to ever serve as a Magistrate Judge for the District Court in New Jersey and will be the first Latina to serve as a Federal District Court Judge for the district of New Jersey.

"Judges Cecchi and Salas have proven their skill and ability in the courtroom and will serve New Jersey extremely well as Federal District Court judges," stated Lautenberg. "This Senate vote will help fill vacancies on our District Court with two widely respected and well-qualified judges. Judge Cecchi will bring to the bench significant experience and a commitment to our New Jersey community. The confirmation of Judge Salas is especially noteworthy as she will be the first Latina to ever serve on the U.S. District Court for New Jersey. I congratulate Judges Cecchi and Salas and am confident that both will serve with fairness and bring honor to the people of New Jersey and our country."

"Judge Claire Cecchi and Judge Esther Salas are two of the most highly respected magistrate judges in New Jersey and the unanimous vote that happened in the Senate today speaks volumes about the quality of their appointments," said U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ). "Despite a shortage of judges in New Jersey and across the country, it is no easy task to navigate Republican obstructionism of our nominees. That makes the confirmation of Judges Cecchi and Salas an even bigger accomplishment to celebrate."

Judges Cecchi and Salas have served as Magistrate Judges in the District Court for the District of New Jersey since 2006.

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