U.S. Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a late-night agreement, allowing votes on several of Biden’s federal district court nominees in exchange for withdrawing four appellate court nominees. This move leaves key vacancies open for Republican President-elect Donald Trump to fill after taking office in January.
The deal, confirmed Thursday by a spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, followed intense Republican efforts to stall Democratic judicial confirmations. Senate Republicans had aimed to block as many appointments as possible before the transition, slowing the process with procedural tactics.
Since the election, the Senate has confirmed eight of Biden’s judicial nominees, bringing the total to 221. On Thursday, the Democratic-led Senate confirmed Sharad Desai to a trial court judgeship in Arizona.
The deal allows the Senate to vote on seven district court nominees after the Thanksgiving recess. Additionally, five more district court nominees advanced by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday will be considered.
“The trade was four circuit nominees — all lacking the votes to get confirmed — for more than triple the number of additional judges moving forward,” a Schumer spokesperson stated.
The withdrawn appellate nominees include Ryan Park for the Fourth Circuit, Julia Lipez for the First Circuit, and Karla Campbell for the Sixth Circuit. This agreement, while ensuring progress on lower court confirmations, underscores the ongoing political battle over the federal judiciary, with both parties keenly aware of the long-term impact of lifetime judicial appointments.
