Republicans should accelerate confirmation of judges in 2019 – IOTW Report

Republicans should accelerate confirmation of judges in 2019

WaEx: Republican losses in the House have eliminated the possibility of advancing major legislation in 2019, but the party’s gains in the Senate have provided a rare opportunity to shape the judiciary with a wave of judges who believe in closely adhering to the U.S. Constitution. Republicans should not squander it.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has already had a lot of success on getting judges confirmed, ensuring it will be the most enduring part of his legacy. Following the death of Antonin Scalia in 2016, he kept a Supreme Court seat open until President Trump could fill it with Justice Neil Gorsuch. During the first two years of the Trump presidency, McConnell has taken good advantage of predecessor Harry Reid’s triggering of the “nuclear option” that eliminated the filibuster for judicial appointments and allowed confirmations with a simple majority.

Without the need for Democratic votes, in the first two years of the Trump presidency, the Senate has already confirmed 85 federal judges, and the pace has accelerated. In 2017, there were 19 judges confirmed, and in 2018, that number soared to 66. Republicans should try to crush that number in 2019.

There are two overarching factors paving the way for more expedited confirmations. One is that Republicans have 53 votes in the new Senate rather than 51, meaning McConnell has three votes to spare. On top of this, the composition of the Senate is likely to be more favorable — for instance, Jeff Flake will no longer be around. What this means practically is that centrist Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins have less power to delay nominations, and there’s less reason to accommodate them with “compromise” nominees.

With Democrats now in control of the House, there’s no hope of repealing Obamacare, making tax cuts permanent, or any other legislative ambitions. As the early phases of the 2020 election start to play out, Republicans will not be able to accomplish anything substantial, so it’s best to stay focused on the one area where they can make a significant impact, and that’s the composition of the judiciary. more here

6 Comments on Republicans should accelerate confirmation of judges in 2019

  1. They better. A conservative bench that believes in the constitution and isn’t out to make law could very well be Trumps legacy and the greatest service he could do the country. McConnell better get on board with this as well.

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  2. Indeed, if he can forge consensus in the Senate for his nominations, it could be the only positive thing about 2019. 2019 has got me worried – and I don’t think I’m alone.

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