As the U.S. celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is calling for his fellow senators to confirm several Latino judicial nominees -- supported by the nonpartisan Hispanic National Bar Association.

During the last year, President Barack Obama nominated several Latino judicial nominees, but the Senate has been stagnant on voting each nominee.

One of the names is Judge Luis Felipe Restrepo, who currently serves as a district court judge, and has been nominated to fill an emergency vacant seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Pennsylvania. If confirmed, Restrepo would become the second Latino judge ever to serve on the Third Circuit and the first one from Pennsylvania. Other Latino nominees include Armando Bonilla for the Federal Claims Court and John Michael Vazquez for a seat in the district of New Jersey.

"These dedicated public servants are eager to serve, but they have been blocked by the Republican leadership's virtual shutdown of the judicial confirmation process since they took over the majority in January. More than eight months into this new Congress, the Republican leadership has allowed just six votes for judges. At this rate, the Senate this year will confirm the fewest number of judges in more than a half century," Leahy said, based on a statement, which also acknowledges Dax Eric Lopez, who awaits a hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee.

In regards to Restrepo, Leahy acknowledged there have been no objections to his nomination, including bipartisan support from both senators from Pennsylvania. Leahy said Restrepo should have been confirmed months ago instead of allowing 10 month to pass, since Obama's nomination, without a vote. The Vermont senator blamed the Senate Republican leadership, but he has confidence that Restrepo will be confirmed once Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., schedules the vote.

If confirmed, Bonilla, the son of a Cuban immigrant and Cuban-American father, would be the first Latino judge to serve the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Leahy also called for a confirmation vote "without further delay" for Bonilla and Vasquez.

McConnell has not indicated a specific date for the remaining judicial nominees, but some nominated names, including Restrepo, are included in the Executive Calendar.

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

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