Senate Democrats Urged to Prioritize Judicial Confirmations Amid Upcoming GOP Control
With President-elect Donald Trump set to assume office once more, Demand Justice, a progressive advocacy group, is calling on Senate Democrats to expedite the confirmation of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees during the final weeks of the 118th Congress.
As the Republican party prepares to take control of the Senate, Democrats are left with a narrow window of seven weeks to advance Biden’s remaining judicial appointments. So far, 213 of Biden’s nominees have been confirmed, while several dozen more await approval. Ensuring these confirmations would require Senate Democrats to extend their session and manage a slim majority that has posed challenges in the past.
Former President Trump had a significant impact on the judiciary during his first term, successfully confirming 234 judges, including three Supreme Court justices. The Democratic party aims to limit further conservative appointments as they strategize for their political future following a major electoral setback.
“Senate Democrats cannot give up and go home just because they lost the chamber,” stated Skye Perryman, a senior adviser with Demand Justice. The organization’s campaign will involve strategic lobbying, events on Capitol Hill, and targeted advertisements to emphasize the importance of confirming “good, qualified, fair-minded judges” to uphold constitutional rights.
According to the United States Courts website, 17 judicial nominees have cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee, with eight awaiting committee votes and six pending hearings. The White House has announced several new nominees in recent months, adding to the urgency.
The Senate’s schedule, which includes breaks around major holidays, is already packed with significant legislative duties, such as disaster aid, defense policy, and government funding. This tight timeline complicates the push for judicial confirmations.
Some senators, including independents Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, are concluding their terms, which could further narrow the Democrats’ margin if Republicans stand united in opposition. Manchin has indicated his reluctance to support non-bipartisan nominations.
Despite these challenges, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed determination to proceed, stating, “We are going to get as many done as we can.” However, Trump has urged Republicans to oppose these efforts, arguing that Democrats are trying to hastily confirm their nominees during the leadership transition.
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates countered, emphasizing the importance of bipartisan cooperation to manage judicial backlogs and uphold the rule of law. “There is no excuse for choosing partisanship over enforcing the rule of law,” Bates remarked.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin remains hopeful that Republicans will not obstruct the confirmation process, referencing a previous agreement on judicial appointments during Trump’s presidency. Durbin aims to confirm around two dozen judges during this session.
Perryman reiterated the need for swift action, stating, “There is no excuse not to put these qualified individuals on the floor for a vote.” Demand Justice’s strategy includes intense lobbying, public events, and a website to track progress and engage constituents.
With the clock ticking down to the new Congress, Maggie Jo Buchanan of Demand Justice stressed the urgency, encouraging Democratic senators to “do whatever it takes” to secure these confirmations.
Senator Elizabeth Warren also urged for maximum use of the legislative session to confirm federal judges and regulators, while The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights supported this focus, highlighting the need for immediate Senate action on Biden’s judicial nominees.
