After four years of stalling tactics, the Senate voted by an overwhelming 81-18 to end debate on Priscilla Owen, virtually assuring she will be confirmed to the 5th Circuit.
Senate Votes to End Filibuster on Judge (AP)
The Senate voted Tuesday to end years of delaying tactics that blocked the nomination of Priscilla Owen to a federal judgeship, the first fruit of a bipartisan agreement to break the logjam over President Bush’s judicial choices.
The vote was 81-18 with opponents of the Texas Supreme Court justice falling well short of the 60 needed to continue their filibuster. A vote to confirm Owen could come as early as Tuesday.
Owen, nominated to a seat on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, has been blocked four times by Democratic filibusters in the four years since Bush first nominated her early in his first term.
Astounding.
