Obama taps first Muslim for federal bench

President Obama used lawmakers' first day back in Washington after a seven-week recess to push the Senate on judicial nominations.

Obama nominated Abid Riaz Qureshi to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Tuesday.

Qureshi, a partner in a Washington law firm who specializes in False Claims Act cases, healthcare fraud and securities violations, is the first Muslim nominated to the federal bench.

"I commend President Obama for taking this important step in continuing to pick the best and brightest from every community to serve as part of our nation's judiciary," stated Farhana Khera, former counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee and executive director of a Muslim legal advocacy organization. "A judiciary that reflects the rich diversity of our nation helps ensure the fair and just administration of the law," she added.

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