
As Democrats control the Senate in the final months of President Biden’s term, the fight over judicial nominations is reaching a critical juncture. Mike Davis, a former law clerk for Justice Neil Gorsuch, argues that Senate Republicans cannot afford to relax or take a backseat in the confirmation process. They must use every tactic at their disposal to delay or stop Biden’s judicial nominees from receiving lifetime appointments.
Despite recent electoral victories, Republicans must remain vigilant and active in opposing Biden’s judicial appointments. With a narrow Democratic majority, the Republican senators still have the power to challenge these left-wing nominations. Biden’s nominees are seen by many conservatives as far-left activists who could push the judicial system in a progressive direction for decades.
Davis cites the nomination of Tali Farhadian Weinstein as an example of the kind of leftist nominee that Republicans must fight against. Weinstein has made clear her support for policies that many conservatives find troubling, including allowing noncitizens to vote. If confirmed, these nominees could issue rulings that would have long-lasting consequences on the nation’s laws and policies.
Senate Republicans have a powerful tool at their disposal: debate time. Under Senate rules, they can force up to 30 hours of debate for each circuit court nominee. By using this time effectively, Republicans can slow down the confirmation process and buy time until the new Congress takes over in January. This delay could prevent many of Biden’s most controversial nominees from getting confirmed before the change in administration.
The stakes are high, and Republicans cannot afford to play nice or simply wait for the new Congress to take over. The ideological shift caused by these judicial nominees would have serious consequences for decades to come. Senate Republicans must stand firm and use every tool at their disposal to block these appointments and protect the integrity of the judicial system.