(Thanks to the Judicial Nominations Blog.)
UPDATE, 4:05pm: The Senate voted 51-37 to invoke cloture on Liburdi's nomination. Both of Arizona's Senators - Republican Martha McSally and Democrat Kyrsten Sinema - voted "aye". (Sinema can be seen on the floor as the vote was announced, in the picture below. The confirmation vote is expected by Wednesday.
The Senate will vote this hour on whether to proceed to a confirmation vote on President Donald Trump's nomination of Michael Liburdi to become a District Court Judge in Phoenix. Today's cloture motion is expected to pass.
AZ Law* has been following the confirmation process since Governor Ducey's former General Counsel was nominated for the lifetime judicial position in January. And, while the six months may seem like a long confirmation period - the Judiciary Committee approved him in March - close watchers of the process indicate that this is not a stretched-out nomination.
Both Arizona Senators have spoken in favor of confirming Liburdi, which makes his confirmation even more likely in the Republican-controlled Senate. However, his previous work on behalf of the Republican party and the Arizona Right to Life PAC (Chairman) may prevent him from getting many Democratic votes.
The final confirmation vote will likely take place tomorrow or Wednesday.
*Through our older sister website, Arizona's Politics.
