Senate Republicans accelerate Trump judicial nominations

Senate Republicans have begun an accelerated push to advance President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees before they lose their majority in January. Trump has urged the Senate to act on 161 pending nominations, including 25 for federal judgeships, while Utah Sen. Mike Lee has pressed for approval of the nominees before the next Congress begins.

On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to send four judicial nominees to the full Senate, scheduled further consideration of six others and held a hearing for four more. Four Democrats on the committee voted to advance one district court nominee.

The pace has drawn objections because several committee practices are being set aside. Chair Chuck Grassley scheduled hearings less than two weeks apart, added nominees whose paperwork had arrived only 10 and 14 days earlier despite a 28-day rule, and moved forward without completed FBI background checks. He also plans to consider as many as seven nominees at one hearing.

Grassley rejected Democratic criticism, saying Democrats intend to obstruct Trump’s judicial appointments. Judiciary Committee Democrat Dick Durbin countered that Republicans were cutting corners because they are about to lose control and, in his view, some nominees could not withstand scrutiny.

A Pew Research Center analysis found that Trump had appointed fewer federal judges by mid-October of his current term than at an equivalent point in his previous term, and that his pace lagged most recent presidents. If confirmed, the pending nominees would add to his judicial appointments; Democrats will hold the Senate majority for the final two years of his term.

Republicans rush Trump judges past Senate safeguards

With their Senate majority nearing its end, Republicans are rushing Trump’s judicial picks through a process that normally gives nominees more time and scrutiny. The Judiciary Committee moved four nominees forward, lined up six more for consideration and held hearings for another four on Tuesday.

The departures from committee practice are substantial: hearings are scheduled less than two weeks apart, two nominees were added after their paperwork had been on file for only 10 and 14 days, and some nominees are being considered before staff have cleared their FBI checks. Grassley also plans to put as many as seven nominees before one hearing.

Grassley portrays the push as a response to Democratic obstruction. But Durbin’s criticism points to the central concern: Republicans are shortening the process just as they are about to lose control, leaving less room to examine nominees before votes. Four Democrats nevertheless joined the committee vote advancing one district court nominee.

Trump has urged action on 161 pending nominations, including 25 federal judgeships, and Mike Lee has pressed for the Senate to act before the next Congress. A Pew analysis found Trump had appointed fewer judges by mid-October of this term than at a matching point in his initial term, and was behind most recent presidents. The rush puts the immediate stakes on the Senate’s remaining time before Democrats take the majority in January.

Democrats threaten Trump’s judicial picks as Senate control shifts

Republicans are using their remaining time in control of the Senate to move Trump’s judicial nominees forward, while Democrats prepare to take the majority in January. Trump has called for action on 161 pending nominations, including 25 federal judgeships, and Utah Sen. Mike Lee has urged approval before the next Congress.

The Judiciary Committee advanced four nominees on Tuesday, arranged consideration of six others and held hearings for four more. Four Democrats voted with Republicans to advance a district court nominee, even as the party’s committee leader, Dick Durbin, criticized the process and said Republicans were cutting corners.

Grassley says Democrats intend to block Trump’s ability to appoint judges once they control the chamber. That prospect makes the current sprint consequential: if nominees are not approved before the shift in power, Trump may have fewer opportunities to fill the positions during his final two years.

Democrats object that hearings are being held less than two weeks apart, nominees were added with paperwork submitted just 10 and 14 days earlier despite a 28-day rule, and some FBI checks have not been cleared by staff. Republicans are also planning a hearing with as many as seven nominees. A Pew analysis found Trump’s second-term judicial appointments were fewer by mid-October than at a similar point in his earlier term, and trailed most recent presidents.