Senate Democrats Rammed Judges Through, Now GOP Calls Shots

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has confirmed President Barack Obama’s last remaining nominee to a U.S. appeals court, seating Judge Luis Felipe Restrepo after a wait of more than 400 days.

The 82-6 vote confirming Restrepo makes him the first Hispanic federal judge from Pennsylvania on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit.

Restrepo, 55, was born in Colombia and was brought to the U.S. at the age of 2. He has served as a district judge since 2013, but his elevation to the appeals court has been delayed after Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., withheld his approval and GOP leaders subsequently delayed a floor vote.

Nine appeals court vacancies remain, but Obama has yet to nominate people for those posts. Dozens of district judgeship are open as well.