There appears to be progress and setbacks with President Barack Obama's Latino judicial nominees.

John Michael Vazquez

On March 26 last year, Obama nominated John Michael Vazquez to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Nearly 10 months later, the Senate has finally agreed on a date to confirm him.

Since Obama made the announcement, New Jersey Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker have applauded the nomination and the nominee.

"I am delighted to hear of Mr. Vazquez's nomination," said Menendez, who reportedly recommended Vazquez for appointment, in a statement last March. "John's extensive legal career and extraordinary credentials in both private and public practice prove he is the right choice to serve New Jersey as District Court Judge. I wholeheartedly applaud his nomination, and look forward to his swift confirmation by the Senate."

"John Vazquez is committed to the highest principles of justice and fairness, and he brings a wealth of valuable experience to the federal bench," Booker said. "John has proudly served the people of New Jersey throughout his distinguished legal career and I look forward to his confirmation by the Judiciary Committee and the full Senate."

Vazquez's nomination process began in July, when the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on his selection. Almost two months later in September, the Judiciary Committee approved Vazquez, and it was up to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to determine a full Senate vote.

On Jan. 27, the Senate finally voted 84-2 to confirm Vazquez. Fourteen senators were not present to vote, including Latino Republican Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Ted Cruz of Texas. The sole Latino Democrat in the Senate, Menendez, voted in favor of Vazquez.

Dax Eric López

On July 30, 2015, Obama nominated Dax Eric López to serve on the U.S District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. If confirmed, López would become the first Latino to serve as a lifetime-appointed federal judge in Georgia.

López has yet to receive his Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, and Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., seems to be a factor. Perdue has reportedly declined to provide the "blue slip" for López's Judiciary Committee, which home-state senators usually submit as a sign of approval before the hearing. Perdue, who also sits on the Judiciary Committee, said he's "uncomfortable" with the Latino judge's engagement with the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO).

"Considering a nominee for lifetime appointment to our federal courts is one of the most significant responsibilities I have as a United States Senator and member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. I take this responsibility all the more seriously when considering nominees to federal courts in my home state of Georgia," said Perdue in a statement on Thursday.

"After a thorough review of the professional and judicial record of DeKalb County Judge Dax Lopez, I have become uncomfortable with his longstanding participation in a controversial organization including his service on its board of directors," Perdue added. "I am particularly concerned with his continued participation with this organization and his public comments after he became a state judge. Unfortunately, our personal meeting, while cordial and informative, did not fully alleviate my concerns. Furthermore, I believe similar concerns would be raised by many of my colleagues, making Judge Lopez's final confirmation unattainable."

López, who has been serving as a judge for the State Court of Dekalb County since 2010 -- appointed by then-Georgia Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue -- is also a Republican.

Other Latino Judges

Still awaiting progress in his judicial nomination is Armando Bonilla, who would become the first Latino to serve the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. On Jan. 11, the Senate did confirm Judge Luis Felipe Restrepo to serve the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, more than a year after Obama nominated the Colombian.

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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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UPDATE: Feb. 13, 2016: Article amended to include confirmation of Vazquez.