Key Democrats have cracked the door open to setting aside a long-standing Senate tradition that Republicans can use to block certain judicial nominees, hoping to help President Biden confirm more judges to the federal courts.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said he’s open to nixing the rule “if we’re seeing the purposeful use of blue slips to obstruct without real reason related to merits of judges, and it happens repeatedly.”“I can’t tell you what the magic number is — but the misuse and abuse of this process means we have to move forward,” he said. “I’m certainly of a mind that this practice becomes anachronistic and antithetical if it is misused.
“I think it’d be terrible for the body,” Graham, R-S.C., said, adding that cooperation on judicial selection is “a two-way street” between the White House and Republican senators. He said he gives Biden’s team “low grades” on working with GOP senators on nominees. “I would urge you to reconsider this,” said Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. “The blue slip is essential to the Senate’s constitutional obligation to provide advice and consent.”
The 2022 midterm elections are also a factor in Democrats' shifting tactics on blue slips. The party defied the odds in the midterm elections, preserving the Senate majority that allows them to keep confirming Biden-picked judges. And Republicans won control of the House, leaving few options for legislative achievements.
Meanwhile, liberal judicial advocates are dialing up the pressure on Democrats to quickly ditch the blue slip tradition and hit the gas on confirming judges while they still have time.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Thelma Democrats and Louise Republicans careen toward the fiscal abyssThe Democratic and Republican parties are Thelma and Louise hurtling toward their cliff, hgurdon writes. 'They are accelerating toward disaster, but the roof is down on their convertible, and they’re feeling fine in the sunshine.'
Read more »
House Republicans abruptly end debate as Democrats offer amendments to help poor women, childrenThe House Republican majority flexed its muscle Tuesday and abruptly cut off Democrats’ efforts to offer amendments aiming to improve the health of poor Mississippi women and children.
Read more »
Democrats to give convicts right to vote after flipping Minnesota SenateThe new legislation could give voting rights to tens of thousands of convicts out on parole or probation.
Read more »
Biden’s visit to Ukraine draws criticism from conservative House RepublicansPresident Biden’s surprise trip to Ukraine draws range of attacks from congressional Republicans who criticized his support for the war-torn country and accused him of neglecting issues back at home.
Read more »
Arizona Republicans rip Biden for visiting Ukraine but not Ohio derailment siteReps. Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar and Eli Crane criticized President Joe Biden over his surprise visit to Ukraine.
Read more »
Biden administration clings to ‘Latinx’ while Hispanic Democrats eye banHispanic Democrats in Connecticut are breaking with the Biden administration by trying to ban the term 'Latinx' in government, calling it offensive.
Read more »