The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee has approved the nomination of a Vermont state judge to become the state's next federal judge.

The office of U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy says the nomination of Judge Christina Reiss of Essex Junction was passed Thursday without discussion on a voice vote.

The nomination must now be confirmed by the full Senate.

The 47-year-old Reiss became a Vermont state judge in 2004.

President Barack Obama nominated Reiss for the seat on the federal bench position after she was recommended by U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy.

Reiss would succeed U.S. District Court Judge J. Garvan Murtha who will no longer hear cases full time.

— Staff and wire reports