U.S. Senate panel backs Yates nomination

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 18-2 Thursday to support the nomination of Sally Yates to become deputy attorney general. Last December, President Barack Obama nominated Yates, former U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, to the Justice Department’s No. 2 post. Both of Georgia’s U.S. senators are backing the nomination. “Sally Yates has served the people of Georgia and the Justice Department with distinction,” said Sen. David Perdue, a member of the Judiciary Committee.…