On the recordNovember 2, 2017
last Thursday, Leader McConnell filed cloture on four circuit court nominees, including two nominees who had been voted out of the Judiciary Committee that very morning. Voting on four controversial circuit court nominees in 1 week is highly unusual, as is voting on nominees just days after they have moved out of committee. Senators who aren't on the Judiciary Committee deserve time to consider nominees, review their backgrounds, and make an informed decision for their vote. But that is not what is happening in the Senate this week. Instead, Republican Senate leadership is pushing President Trump's judges through as quickly as possible. Jamming through as many controversial judges as possible in as short a time as possible--to lifetime appointments, no less--is irresponsible. I cannot remember a time when we had cloture votes on four circuit nominees in 1 week. It is important to understand the context in which we find ourselves. After failing to repeal the Affordable Care Act and with the Republican tax reform plan facing opposition within his own party, President Trump has turned more and more to Executive orders to influence policy. As we have seen, move after move has run into opposition in Federal courts. So it is really no surprise that Republicans are trying to stack those courts with ideological judges whom they hope and expect will uphold the President's harmful policies.…





