Senate panel advances McConnell ally for DC appeals court

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced the nomination of a 38-year-old judge and ally of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to serve on a federal appeals court, This was done despite Democrats’ objections that Justin Walker is inexperienced and biased against the Obama health care law. The panel’s 12-10, party-line vote Thursday sets the stage for his likely confirmation in the GOP-controlled Senate. Walker, a protege of both McConnell and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, told senators last month that he will have an open mind on the Affordable Care Act.