Senate Democrats blocking Trump court picks
Senate Democrats are turning to procedural tactics to delay confirmation of President Trump’s appeals court picks, and conservative groups are firing back with a new ad in Michigan trying to force two Democrats to clear a path for one embattled nominee.
The Judicial Crisis Network says it will spend $140,000 on the ad, which demands Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters drop any objections to Michigan Supreme Court Justice Joan Larsen, who Mr. Trump nominated to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on May 8.
The senators are flexing the chamber’s “blue slip” tradition, which gives individual lawmakers an exceptional amount of say in judges from their home state. Under the tradition, if both home-state senators don’t return their blue slips, signaling acceptance, Senate leaders will hold off on action on that pick.
Neither Ms. Stabenow nor Mr. Peters have returned their blue slips. Spokesmen for both senators say they’re still studying the issues on the Larsen pick.
Conservatives, though, want to see a speedy decision.
“This is someone the citizens of Michigan have overwhelmingly approved as their Supreme Court Justice,” said Carrie Severino, chief counsel at the JCN. “It’s absurd [Democrats] would attempt to block her confirmation.”
Source:- http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jul/4/senate-democrats-blocking-donald-trump-court-picks/
