Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a late-night deal on Wednesday, allowing President-elect Donald Trump to appoint four crucial appellate court judges in his second administration. The agreement came after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer faced challenges from Republicans using procedural maneuvers to delay the confirmation process for President Biden's judicial picks.
The deal involved Democrats holding votes on four district court judges in exchange for pulling four higher-tier circuit court judicial nominees, giving Trump the opportunity to fill these vacancies. The agreement was reached around midnight on Wednesday, with Senators Mike Lee and Eric Schmitt playing key roles in securing the deal.
The Senate slowdown initiated by Republicans through procedural maneuvers on Monday night prompted the late-night negotiations. Senate Minority Whip John Thune led the delay tactic plan in response to Schumer's efforts to expedite judicial confirmation votes before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Despite the deal, Republicans are expected to oppose Biden's district judges, as they have done throughout his term. With Democrats racing to confirm as many of Biden's judicial nominations as possible before the new congressional term begins in January, the confirmation count for Biden's judges rose to 220, still trailing behind Trump's 234 confirmed Article III judges during his first term.
Trump has expressed concerns about Democrats stacking the courts with 'Radical Left Judges' and called for a halt to judicial confirmations before Inauguration Day. A transition spokesperson emphasized Trump's commitment to appointing constitutionalist judges who interpret the law as written.
