Filibuster on Hamilton is Over

The Senate voted on a cloture motion yesterday, ending debate on the appointment of Judge David Hamilton to the 7th Circuit. An up or down confirmation vote will happen in the next day or two, and will likely succeed.

Although Hamilton was President Obama’s first judicial nominee, he has not yet been confirmed and Senator Jeff Sessions (Alabama) tried to lead a filibuster. Sessions himself was nominated to a judicial post in the 80’s and was blocked by a Democrat filibuster. Several Republicans joined the Democrats yesterday to end debate on Hamilton including Saxby Chambliss (Georgia), Susan Collins (Maine), John Cornyn (Texas), Orrin Hatch (Utah) and Richard Lugar (Indiana). Hamilton was originally appointed to the federal bench by President Clinton in 1994.