The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the nominations of 44 of President Donald Trump’s judicial appointees Thursday, as Democrats complained Republicans are moving too quickly on unqualified or controversial nominees.
“We are all diminished” when lawmakers barrel through these hearings, said Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, who urged the White House to allow more consultation especially for circuit court nominees that critics say are outside of the mainstream. For their part, Republicans are frustrated that Democrats are slow-walking confirmations by taking advantage of Senate rules that allow 30 hours of debate.
The move comes as Republican Sens. Roy Blunt and James Lankford introduced a resolution that would again change the rules to make it easier to confirm district court judges by reducing the time of post-cloture debate from 30 hours to two.
Thursday’s session was a replay of several similar hearings during the last two years, breaking down over partisan divides with each side blaming the other for the disintegration of the process and expressing resignation about a way forward.
Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, said that there has been “politicization” of the judicial process but that both sides of the aisle are at fault stemming from a decision by then Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, in 2013 to change the rules for lower court judges and executive branch agencies, eliminating the ability to filibuster those nominations.
“I really worry about what is happening with our judiciary,” Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, said. “I’m really worried about the judiciary being politicized ….by all of us,” he said and then added, “I don’t know what to do about it.”
At a talk Wednesday night, Chief Justice John Roberts again reiterated a sentiment he has said before speaking broadly: “The process is not working the way it’s supposed to,” he said according to the The Tennessean.
