Travis McDonough’s federal judgeship nomination passes Senate judiciary committee

Staff Photo by Maura Friedman/Chattanooga Times Free PressIn this file photo Travis McDonough announces an agreement had been reached between the city and the owner of the Delta Queen at a news conference in City Hall in Chattanooga. Staff Photo by Maura Friedman/Chattanooga Times Free PressIn this file photo Travis McDonough announces an agreement had been reached between the city and the owner of the Delta Queen at a news conference in City Hall in Chattanooga.

By Kate Belz, Louie Brogdon July 9, 2015 3 min read

Travis McDonough

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke’s chief of staff is one step closer to be confirmed to the federal bench.

Travis McDonough’s nomination to the U.S. District Court of Eastern Tennessee was approved without dissent during Thursday morning’s U.S. Senate judiciary committee meeting. Now the nomination heads to the Senate floor for a final vote.

McDonough’s approval was confirmed with no discussion and through a voice vote, which means he is “well-respected and not controversial,” said Professor Carl Tobias, an expert in the federal judicial nomination who teaches law at the University of Richmond.

“This is very good for him,” Tobias said.

It is unclear when the vote to confirm or deny the appointment will be scheduled. Tobias said a vote could be brought to the floor as early as this summre if senators push for it, or it may be put off till after August recess.