James Graves of Clinton may finally be on his way to a full Senate vote for the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

This morning, the Senate Judiciary Committee gave the OK to his nomination, along with a bunch of others who weren't acted on by the time Congress shut down in 2010.

Now, Mississippi Sens. Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran will lend their helping hands before their colleagues for Graves, the state Supreme Court's only black jurist.

They announced their support for him months ago, so that should help mightily with their GOP members.

Earlier today, Sen. Leahy said these nominations needed to get moving.

Perhaps they have.

Stay tuned... patsy