GOP filibusters Goodwin Liu's nomination

In a 52-43 vote, Democrats fell eight votes short of the 60 needed to beat back a filibuster and bring a matter to a final vote. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) voted present.

Just six years ago, Republican leaders tried to do away with judicial filibusters altogether, but on Thursday they used the filibuster weapon that had been honed by Democrats in President George W. Bush’s first term to defeat Goodwin Liu’s nomination to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Many Republicans who have vigorously opposed judicial filibusters in the past voted to block Liu, who had come under sustained attack for more than a year. They argued he has an activist judicial philosophy and lacks courtroom experience.