01.08.18

Needless Democrat Obstruction Continues in Judicial Confirmation Process

‘Their goal is to waste the Senate’s time and prevent the president from promptly filling judicial vacancies. 2017 was an historic year of partisan obstruction by our Democratic colleagues. Even for uncontroversial judges who went on to unanimous or near-unanimous confirmation votes, my colleagues across the aisle used every possible procedural roadblock to delay and drag their heels. Now 2018 is starting off the same way.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the continued Democrat obstruction in the judicial confirmation process:  

“Later today, the Senate will vote to advance the nomination of William L. Campbell, Jr. to serve as a United States District Judge for the Middle District of Tennessee. Mr. Campbell’s nomination is not controversial. Like the other three district court nominees before the Senate this week, he is well-qualified. They are the kind of nominees who, until recently, would have sailed quickly and smoothly through the Senate.

“So why will their four nominations consume a week of the Senate’s attention? Why do we need to file cloture on each, and then exhaust the full thirty hours of debate? Because Senate Democrats are choosing – for partisan reasons – to make these nominations take as long as possible.

“Their goal is to waste the Senate’s time and prevent the president from promptly filling judicial vacancies. 2017 was an historic year of partisan obstruction by our Democratic colleagues. Even for uncontroversial judges who went on to unanimous or near-unanimous confirmation votes, my colleagues across the aisle used every possible procedural roadblock to delay and drag their heels. Now 2018 is starting off the same way.

“Mr. Campbell is a Marine Corps veteran and a well-respected attorney. His record is not partisan. His nomination was reported out of the Judiciary Committee by voice vote. I look forward to the Senate confirming him, albeit after our Democratic colleagues waste more of the Senate’s time. And I implore my Democratic colleagues to turn the page on the needless obstruction and permit the Senate to function smoothly – so we can attend to more of the people’s business.”

Related Issues: Judicial Nominations, Senate Democrats, Nominations