Senate confirms two judicial nominees

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed two of President Obama's judicial nominees to sit on the federal bench.

The upper chamber confirmed Sharon Gleason to be a United States district judge for the District of Alaska by a vote of 87-8 and Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers to be a United States district judge for the Northern District of California by a vote of 89-6. 

Gleason will be the first female judge appointed to the federal bench in Alaska history. 

"It is truly momentous for our state, and long overdue," said Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) prior to the vote. “I’m honored to have been a part of the process that led us to this important day.”

In both cases Senate conservatives were the only senators to vote against the confirmations.