Election Proves Urgency Of Confirming Outstanding Judicial Nominees

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 9, 2022 – With Georgia likely heading to a runoff, the fate of Senate control still hangs in the balance, and Republicans could still wrest control. Republican senators, including Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz, and Chuck Grassley, have previously stated their intentions not to advance any of President Biden’s judicial nominations. That means this lame duck period may be the very last opportunity for any of his nominations to be confirmed. 

As it stands, there are already 25 nominees awaiting confirmation by the Senate and another 33 waiting to be processed by the Senate Judiciary Committee. With over 100 vacancies still waiting to be filled, Senate Democrats should use their guaranteed time left in power to confirm as many of these exemplary nominees as possible. 

Alliance for Justice Rakim H.D. Brooks issued the following statement: 

“President Biden and Senate Democrats have been doing unprecedented work to transform our judiciary in ways that improve their legitimacy and undo the harm from so many extremist Trump nominees. That work may be coming to an end if Senate Republicans block future nominees. 

“The Senate must do absolutely everything it can to confirm the pending nominees before the end of the lame duck period. We should have no faith that Senate Republicans will allow the confirmation of nominees with the breadth of professional and demographic diversity as those we’ve seen confirmed during the first two years of President Biden’s term. We deserve courts that resemble the people they serve and that maintain a commitment to equal justice under law. Senate Republicans have made clear that is not what they want for our nation. It may be two or more years before we can resume the pursuit of justice.”