On August 6, 2019, Judge Brian Buescher received commission for the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska.

 

Buescher was nominated to the court by President Donald Trump (R) on November 13, 2018, to succeed Judge Laurie Smith Camp, who assumed senior status with the court on December 1, 2018.

 

Due to the 115th Congress’ sine die adjournment on January 3, 2019, the Senate returned Buescher’s nomination to the president. Buescher, along with 50 other judicial nominees, was re-nominated by President Trump on January 23, 2019.

 

Following nomination by the president, a federal judge nominee completes a questionnaire that is reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee then holds a hearing to question the nominee regarding their judicial philosophy and their previous opinions and rulings. The committee also sends the nominee’s home state senators a blue slip, permitting them to show their approval or disapproval of the nominee.

 

After the hearing, the committee votes to approve or return the nominee. If approved, the full Senate votes on the nominee. If returned, the president may renominate the person. If the nomination is confirmed by the Senate, the individual receives commission to serve as a federal judge for a life term. If the nomination is not confirmed, the individual does not become a judge.

 

Buescher was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on July 24, 2019, by a vote of 51-40.

 

The United States District Court for the District of Nebraska has three active Article III judges including Buescher. The other two current judges are:

• Chief Judge John Gerrard – nominated by President Barack Obama (D)

• Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. – nominated by President Barack Obama (D)

 

The court’s four judges on senior status are:

• Laura Smith Camp – nominated by President George W. Bush (R)

• Joseph Bataillon – nominated by President Bill Clinton (D)

• Lyle Strom – nominated by President Ronald Reagan (R)

• Richard Kopf – nominated by President George H.W. Bush (R)

 

The U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska is one of 94 U.S. district courts, the general trial courts for the U.S. federal court system where both civil and criminal cases are filed. The main courthouse is located in Omaha.