Senate confirms 49th judicial nominee this year

The Senate confirmed Cathy Bissoon to be a United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania by a vote of 82-3 on Monday

Prior to the confirmation a number of senators from both parties including Pennsylvania Sens. Bob Casey (D) and Pat Toomey (R) took to the floor to praise Bisoon and urge a positive vote from their colleagues.

Bissoon, who is a nominee of President Obama, is currently serving as a federal magistrate in Pittsburgh and was the 49th judicial nominee confirmed so far this year. 

Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.),Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) opposed the confirmation. 

Following the vote the Senate returned to debate over the funding "minibus" for FY 2012.