In its first vote of the new year, the Senate approved, 97-0, the nomination of Beverly Martin to serve on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Martin’s lifetime appointment to the federal appellate bench was approved by the Judiciary Committee by voice vote in September, but her nomination has lagged on the Senate calendar since then. Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) complained several times last year that the Senate wasn’t moving quickly enough to confirm judicial nominations and reiterated his displeasure on the floor Wednesday.

Last year, the Senate confirmed 14 judges, including Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.