The U.S. Senate has ended a GOP filibuster against President Barack Obama's U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals nominee Judge David F. Hamilton.

The Democrats needed 60 votes to stop the debate, and with some help from Republicans, the filibuster ended with a 70-29 vote.

Many conservatives have called Hamilton an "extreme liberal," noting he used to work for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in 1994.

Later, as a judge, he ordered the Indiana House of Representatives not to allow legislative prayers that mention Jesus. But he did allow prayers that mention Allah.

He also spent several years blocking Indiana's informed consent law on abortion.

Hamilton only needs a simple majority from the Senate to be confirmed, and after Tuesday night's vote, his confirmation is all but guaranteed.