Guam federal judge to continue seeking renomination

HAGATNA, Guam – Guam officials say they will again push for the renomination of the territory’s chief federal judge after President-elect Donald Trump is in the White House.

Time is running out for the Senate Judiciary Committee to act on U.S. District Court Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood’s nomination before her term ends, reported The Pacific Daily News (http://bit.ly/2hdGils ). Del. Madeleine Bordallo said Monday that she will continue to pursue the reappointment after Trump is sworn in next month.

Federal judges in U.S. territories serve only 10-year terms, while other federal judges are appointed for life.

President Barack Obama nominated Tydingco-Gatewood for a second term this May. She was originally nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed in 2006. Her current term expired in October.

Tydingco-Gatewood has completed an FBI background check and a health check, but she is waiting on action by the Senate, which hasn’t scheduled her for a vote. Dozens of Obama’s other federal judge nominees also await Senate action.

The Guam Legislature passed unanimous legislation Friday calling for Tydingco-Gatewood’s renomination to be confirmed.