With President Biden’s term nearing its end, Senate Republicans are facing a critical challenge. Biden’s administration has nominated several judges with deeply left-wing ideologies, and if confirmed, they could hold lifetime appointments that will reshape the judicial landscape for decades. Mike Davis, a former law clerk to Justice Neil Gorsuch, argues that Senate Republicans must do everything in their power to delay or block these nominees before the Democrats lose control of the Senate in January.
Davis stresses that the stakes are high, particularly with Biden’s radical judicial nominees who support policies such as allowing noncitizens to vote. One example is Tali Farhadian Weinstein, nominated to a district court seat in New York. These nominees, if confirmed, could lead to rulings that are detrimental to conservative policies, making it essential for Senate Republicans to take action.
Senate Republicans have tools at their disposal to slow the confirmation process. For instance, they can force extended debates on circuit court nominees, using up to 30 hours of debate time allowed by Senate rules. Although Democrats can waive time, Republicans can still use half of that time to delay nominations. This is a powerful tool, and it is crucial that Republicans make full use of it, even if the temptation is to return home and rest after the recent election victories.
The fight against Biden’s judicial nominees is about much more than individual appointments. It’s about preserving the integrity of the judicial system for future generations. With more than 160 judges already appointed by Biden, Senate Republicans cannot afford to let these controversial picks slip through. If left unchecked, these judges will have the power to block President Trump’s future policies with nationwide injunctions.
Davis argues that Senate Republicans should not allow these nominations to pass quietly, particularly given the history of Senate Democrats under former President Trump. In 2017, Democrats used every strategy possible to delay and block Trump’s judicial appointments, and Republicans should expect no less from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer once the situation flips.
In short, Republicans must stand firm and continue the fight on the Senate floor. The will of the people, who voted for change, must be respected, and that means preventing these far-left judges from gaining lifetime positions on the federal bench.
