In Case You Thought It Couldn’t Get Any Worse in the Senate: The Judicial Nominations Edition

Last week, I lamented that, in an era of 70+ judicial vacancies and 20+ nominees cooling their heels waiting for a vote, the Senate is only managing to schedule votes on one district court nominee per week. Oh, for the days of 18 judges voted on at once, I said.

Well, I should have known that obstructionist tactics could bring the Senate’s ability to function to even new lows: last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was required to file a cloture petition to schedule a vote on Michael Shipp, nominated to the district court in New Jersey. Senator Leahy got consent yesterday on the floor to vitiate the petition and move to a confirmation vote instead, but still – really? All this for a longtime federal magistrate judge who had been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support, who was eventually confirmed by a vote of 91-1.

Listen up, Senate obstructionists: there’s still time for redemption before the August recess. Listen to your constituents and make sure the Senate votes on the 20 nominees who are ready for a vote.