Senate Republicans are exploring changes to the confirmation process to address a growing backlog of judicial nominations stalled by minority Democrats. President Donald Trump criticized Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) for upholding the “blue slip” tradition, which allows home-state senators to block nominees by withholding approval.
GOP lawmakers are considering several reforms ahead of a Wednesday meeting, including a plan to allow a single vote on up to 10 nominees—similar to a Democratic proposal from two years ago. Other ideas involve cutting debate times, making some nominations nondebatable, and reducing required procedural votes. Since rule changes only need a simple majority, Republicans could push these without Democratic support, though it would highlight partisan tensions.
Alabama Senator Katie Britt, leading the GOP working group, said discussions continue with Democrats to find a workable solution. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) recently kept the Senate in session over a weekend to advance some of Trump’s nominees amid ongoing Democratic delays.
One high-profile nominee, Jeanine Pirro, Trump’s pick for Washington D.C.’s top prosecutor, was confirmed just before the Senate’s August recess. However, only seven nominees were confirmed overall before talks to confirm dozens more collapsed due to disputes involving Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s demands for federal funds and spending commitments, which Trump rejected angrily on social media.
Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso condemned Democrats for blocking even routine nominations, noting that Trump is the only modern president without a single nominee confirmed by voice vote or unanimous consent.