Staff Reports
Senate Democrats are feeling the heat as they grapple with the daunting task of surpassing the record-breaking number of judges appointed by former President Donald Trump. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s right-hand man, Senator Dick Durbin, recently let it slip that achieving this goal might require more than a sprinkle of good fortune—perhaps a fairy godmother and a magic wand, too. With the pressure mounting, it seems even the most optimistic Democrat may have to face reality.
Durbin was quick to boast about President Joe Biden’s recent achievement of confirming his 209th judge, matching Trump’s record up to the same point in his presidency. Yet, just like the beloved sitcom character who’s always the last to realize the situation has turned sour, Durbin openly acknowledged they are likely to hit a wall by the end of the month. Acknowledging that they need to replicate the 16 judicial confirmations Republicans racked up in September 2020, Durbin suggested that Democrats are, in fact, on a path leading straight to disappointment.
Washington Examiner: Schumer deputy says ‘good fortune’ needed to beat Trump record on judges https://t.co/RVCK91F9mv
— Ian’s Newsfeed 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHNewsFeed) September 12, 2024
Democrats may be wearing blinders when it comes to their own party dynamics. With a slim 51-49 majority, it’s like trying to herd cats—especially with independent Senator Joe Manchin signaling he won’t support any judicial nominations that lack bipartisan backing. This complicated landscape leaves Democrats hoping for endorsements from a party that has a reputation for being, shall we say, less than collaborative. While some nominees have found support, this election season has only muddied the waters for more contentious judicial choices.
Adding to the chaos is Kamala Harris, who has been busy breaking records of her own—specifically, the number of tiebreaking votes cast by a vice president. Instead of focusing on judicial confirmations, she’s off campaigning for her own presidential ambitions. One has to wonder where her priorities truly lie, considering the Senate could use her vote more than her photo ops.
In a surprising twist, Democratic leaders are hesitant to take notes from their Republican predecessors, who canceled August recesses to confirm Trump judges like there was no tomorrow. With elections looming, keeping senators in Washington might not be the strategic move they want to make; it’s far too risky with vulnerable incumbents needing to return home and show their faces to constituents.
While Durbin insists that judicial appointments will shine as one of the few bright spots in Biden’s term—highlighting diversity with an impressive number of black women on the bench—Schumer has his eyes firmly set on eclipsing Trump’s monumental record. With plans to hasten the pace of judicial appointments discussed with White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients, the Democrats seem to be hatching a plan. But will it work, or will it face yet another embarrassing setback? Durbin remains hopeful, anticipating a mad dash of activity post-Election Day. For now, only the calendar and the votes will tell if the Democrats can transform their ambitious goals into reality.
