Senate advances three judicial nominations

The Senate advanced three of President Obama’s judicial nominees on Monday.

{mosads}Last year, Senate Democrats used the “nuclear option” to unilaterally change the filibuster rules so that a simple majority can advance most nominations instead of the previously required 60 votes.

The Senate voted 52-32 to end debate on the nomination of M. Hannah Lauck to be a U.S. district judge for the Eastern District of Virginia, 52-33 to end debate on the nomination of Leo Sorokin to be a U.S. district judge for the District of Massachusetts and 53-34 to end debate on the nomination of Richard Boulware to be a U.S. district judge for the District of Nevada.

Ahead of the vote, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said Lauck was “very well prepared” for the position.

Confirmation votes on all three are scheduled for Tuesday at 10 a.m. The Senate will then begin considering nominations to the Federal Reserve Board.