WASHINGTON — Following the confirmation of Judge Susan P. Baxter as U.S. District Court Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania, U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Bob Casey, D-Pa., applauded the decision.

“I am pleased that Judge Baxter was confirmed by the United States Senate today,” said Toomey on Tuesday. “Judge Baxter has the intellect, experience, and character needed to excel as a federal judge. I am especially glad that we have confirmed Judge Baxter to fill a district court seat in Erie, which has been vacant for over five years.”

Casey lauded the decision, too.

“I am pleased that the Senate has finally confirmed Judge Susan Paradise Baxter for the vacant seat on the Western District. This seat, which is the only federal seat in Erie, has been vacant for over five years,” said Casey. “I am confident that Judge Baxter will serve the Commonwealth honorably, as she has for over two decades. Judge Baxter has served as a federal Magistrate Judge for the Western District since 1995 and will bring this wealth of experience in the federal system to her new seat. In her 23 years of service to the people of Erie, Judge Baxter has shown that she possesses the integrity, intellect and independence required to be an outstanding federal District Court Judge.”

Since Toomey joined the Senate in 2011, he and Casey have worked together, in a bipartisan fashion, to fill vacancies on the federal bench in Pennsylvania. Together they have vetted, recommended, and confirmed 15 Federal District Court Judges for Pennsylvania. Only two states — California and New York — have had more district court judges confirmed to their federal benches during this time.