The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has a new judge: Don Willett.
The U.S. Senate voted 50 to 47 Wednesday to approve Willett, who served on the Texas Supreme Court for the past 12 years, to one of the three open seats on the federal appellate bench.
Senators are expected to vote on the nomination of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher appellate partner James Ho Thursday or Friday.
President Trump nominated Willett and Ho to the Fifth Circuit three months ago. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the two men last week.
Both men, if they chose, could be sworn in by Christmas.