In the Nation

Senate confirms Cuba-born judge

WASHINGTON - The first Cuban-born judge to serve on the Atlanta-based U.S. appellate court was confirmed Wednesday by an overwhelming vote that said much about the way the Senate operates these days.

Despite strong support from both parties, including tea party favorite Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), the Senate had to break a filibuster to confirm U.S. District Judge Adalberto Jose Jordan, 94-5. The one-time clerk to now-retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is the newest member of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

This week, the nomination was held up by another tea party favorite, Republican Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.). He filibustered Jordan's nomination while demanding a vote on his proposed amendment - to an upcoming highway bill - to cut economic aid to Egypt pending the release of American pro-democracy workers held in that country. Rather than grant Paul a vote on his amendment, the Senate voted Monday to force an end to his filibuster. Under Senate rules, a final vote on the nomination could not take place until Wednesday.

- AP

Mayor tapped for convention role

WASHINGTON - The Democratic Party has picked Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to chair its national convention this summer in Charlotte, N.C.

The chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, said in an e-mail to DNC members that Villaraigosa would be nominated to chair the September convention.

Chairing the national convention, where Democrats are expected to nominate President Obama for a second term, will place Villaraigosa in a national spotlight. The post would also place the Latino mayor front and center as Democrats woo Latino support for Obama and other candidates. Villaraigosa was elected mayor in 2005 and reelected in 2009.

- AP

Medical records sought for Houston

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office has issued subpoenas for medical and pharmacy records from singer Whitney Houston's doctors and medical providers, which is standard procedure in such investigations, an official said.

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said the request was made in virtually all death investigations because it can shed light on how people died and whether they had any serious medical conditions.

Her family plans to hold a private church service Saturday in her hometown of Newark, N.J. People will be able to watch the funeral on the Web. Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster, announced that the Associated Press would be the pool camera for the service. The AP will stream the funeral on livestream.com/aplive. - AP

Elsewhere:

Joseph Kennedy III said Wednesday he was formally jumping into the race for the congressional seat now held by retiring U.S. Rep. Barney Frank. Kennedy, the son of former U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy II and a grandson of the late Robert F. Kennedy, recently moved from Cambridge to Brookline, part of the state's newly redrawn 4th Congressional District in Massachusetts.