Judge Matthew Bell and attorney Michael Menssen, Gov. Spencer Cox's nominees to the Utah Supreme Court, cleared a Senate committee and await full confirmation this week, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. Both nominees told senators they would remain independent of the Legislature and would not be bound by past rulings.

The confirmation hearing comes as Utah courts face intensifying political scrutiny over abortion law, redistricting, and other issues where the Legislature and courts have clashed. Bell currently serves as a district judge; Menssen is in private practice.

The Senate is expected to vote on both nominations this week.