Senate confirms controversial court nominee Southwick.

The Senate today voted 59-38 to confirm Leslie Southwick to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. His nomination was opposed by major civil rights organizations, who criticized his “racially insensitive” writings. More on Southwick’s controversial past HERE.

UPDATE: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) delivered remarks, urging his colleagues to vote no.

UPDATE II: The roll call on the cloture vote is here.