Judge Luis Felipe Restrepo, currently serving for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, finally had his Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday to potentially serve on U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Meanwhile, Kara Farnandez Stoll is still waiting for the Senate's confirmation vote, nearly seven months after President Barack Obama nominated both Latinos.

During his hearing, Restrepo stated he will continue to serve without any bias. He said, "I've served now for nine years, seven years as a magistrate judge, two years as a district court judge, and I'd like to think that my days as an advocate have not tainted or colored my ability to perform my job as a judge."

Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Penn., was previously criticized for delaying the nomination process. Although he had praised Obama's nomination of Restrepo last November, he waited several months to send his approval to the Senate Judiciary committee. Toomey stated he was waiting until the Judiciary Committee completed its background check on Restrepo, even though the he also received a background check in 2013 during the nomination process for the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

On Wednesday afternoon, Toomey introduced Restrepo and applauded him as "a very well qualified candidate on the Third Circuit." Toomey continued to praise Restrepo on Twitter, tweeting, "Judge Restrepo will make a superb addition to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia."

Toomey, however, then said at the hearing, "I hope to see such a confirmation occur this year."

"One important factor was the strong support voiced by Sens. [Bob] Casey and Toomey, as the home state senators, because other Senate members will give much weight to those senators who recommended Restrepo to Obama," said Carl Tobias, law professor at the University of Richmond. "He is a very experienced jurist and his keen abilities were evident in the clear, thorough way he responded to all of the questions asked."

"There was nothing controversial and no red flags were raised at the hearing," noted Tobias, in a statement to Latin Post. "The next step will be a Senate Judiciary Committee vote in several weeks, and I expect that will go well. The big question is when he will receive a floor vote. Toomey said this year, but I am cautiously optimistic that it will be sooner because Restrepo is so strong, and the vacancy he will fill is a judicial emergency."

As Latin Post reported, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts labeled the Third Circuit Court of Appeals' vacant seat as a "judicial emergency vacancy."

In regards to Stoll, the Judiciary Committee voted, and unanimously approved, her last April, but the Senate has yet scheduled a confirmation vote. If the Senate approves Stoll, she will assume the vacant seat previously held by Judge Randall Rader, who retired June 13, 2014.

Stoll was nominated for the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. As Latin Post reported, Stoll's legal career has largely focused on patent litigation and she represented clients at district and appellate levels. She has also served a lead counsel on several cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, criticized Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., for delaying the judicial nomination votes. McConnell previously made a comment signaling a potential slowdown of the president's judicial nominees.

"Perhaps [McConnell's] comments about a judicial slowdown were just confirming what he's already doing to block the President's nominees. The Republican Senate hasn't even confirmed a single Circuit Judge -- not even a consensus nominee like Kara Stoll to the Federal Circuit. She was reported out of committee by voice vote back in April," said Reid during a Senate floor speech.

A McConnell spokesperson said the Senate majority leader's comments were misinterpreted, but Reid response was, "actions speak louder than words," and called on the Republican senator to schedule a swift vote on Stoll's nomination.

"We should schedule a vote on her nomination later this week. There is no need for her nomination to languish, especially since the Judiciary Committee will soon report out the Restrepo nomination. Kara Stoll as the only appeals court judges awaiting a vote before the Senate. Both of these nominees deserve a vote," continued Reid.

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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