Senate confirms 14th judicial nominee this year

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) expressed satisfaction Monday that the Senate was about to move on its 14th judicial nominee of the year. Last year at this time, the Senate had only managed to make two confirmations.

"It should not take weeks and months for the Senate to consider nominees reported by the Judiciary Committee, in particular those who are consensus nominees," said Leahy.

At about 6 p.m., the Senate unanimously approved President Obama's nomination of Mae D'Agostino to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of New York. The vote was 88-0. D’Agostino was approved unanimously by the Judiciary Committee on March 3.

"I hope this is a sign of progress,” Leahy said prior to the vote.

The Senate has confirmed 13 district judges and one circuit judge thus far this year.

The Senate adjourned at 6:36 p.m. on Monday as is set to convene at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Before adjourning, it also confirmed four Coast Guard vice admirals by unanimous consent.