Sen. Chuck Grassley today announced that President Bush intends to nominate U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. Melloy of Cedar Rapids to fill a vacancy on the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
"Judge Melloy will make a superb addition to the bench," Grassley said. "His extensive experience both in the courtroom and as a judge will allow him to effectively serve on the Eighth Circuit."
Melloy has served as United States District Judge for the Northern District of Iowa since August 1992. He was chief judge from January 1993 to January 2000. Previously, he was United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Iowa from January 1986 to August 1992. Melloy is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law and received a bachelor's degree from Loras College.
According to the White House Counsel's office, Melloy's nomination will become official after all necessary background checks are completed. Confirmation proceedings in the Senate will follow the official announcement. Grassley said that as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he will do all he can to expedite the confirmation process.
There are 11 circuit judgeships on the Eighth Circuit, which is based in St. Louis. The court handles appeals from Iowa and six other states in the Midwest. The vacancy Melloy is being nominated to fill was created when Iowa Judge George Fagg announced his retirement in April 1999.
Melloy was one of the four nominees Grassley forwarded to the White House for consideration earlier this year. "I'm happy that the White House chose not only an Iowan, but also one of my nominees," Grassley said. "Each of the four candidates was fully qualified for the position."