The 98-0 vote confirmed Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Michael Seabright as the District of Hawai'i's fourth full-time U.S. District judge.

Hawai'i Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye had supported Seabright's nomination since it was first announced last year. Because Congress adjourned for the year without acting on the nomination, Bush had to resubmit his nominations again to the new Congress.

Inouye said he has known Seabright since he arrived in the islands 20 years ago.

"His broad experience in prosecution, from violent crimes to government corruption, have provided him a balanced perspective on the criminal justice system that will continue to serve him well as he prepares for this next phase in his public service career," Inouye said in a statement.

Seabright was one of three nominees for the lifetime post that Gov. Linda Lingle had suggested to the president.

She said Seabright would "make an excellent addition to the bench as Hawai'i's newest federal judge."

"He is highly qualified and well respected in the legal community," she said in a statement today.

Lingle noted that the Hawai'i district has been without a fourth full-time judge for more than five years.

Chief U.S. District Judge David Ezra has noted that the lack of a fourth judge has put his district in "crisis," forcing delays, especially in federal civil trials.

Among the cases Seabright has prosecuted are the bribery case against Honolulu liquor commissioners and the money laundering case against former Bishop Estate trustee Lokelani Lindsey. He also prosecuted former state Sen. Milton Holt in a campaign spending-related case.

Seabright's wife, Margaret Sun Dho Ahn, is a deputy state attorney general. They have two children, Kate and Nick.