Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee are not going to help the Democrats replace Democrat California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, in order to push through their radical activist judges.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) blocked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s attempt to temporarily replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
On April 18, Sen. Schumer tried to pass a resolution by unanimous consent that would have put Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) on the committee pending Feinstein’s return from her lengthy absence.
With Graham’s objection, the resolution would require 11 Republicans to join the Democrats. Without Feinstein, the Democrats control the Senate by only two seats, 51-49.
In objecting to Schumer’s request, Graham said that while he wishes Feinstein a “speedy recovery and return back to the Senate,” he said Schumer’s attempt was “about a handful of judges that you can’t get the votes for.”
“The stated reason, the supposed emergency, is that Senate Democrats are unable to push through the small fraction of their nominees who are so extreme and unqualified that they cannot win a single Republican vote,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on the Senate floor.
“Senate Republicans will not take part in sidelining a temporarily absent colleague off a committee just so Democrats can force through their very worst nominee,” McConnell added.
Other Republicans joined in the objection:
“I will vote against any attempt by Senate Democrats to temporarily replace Sen. Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee. I deeply respect Senator Feinstein, but this is an unprecedented request solely intended to appease those pushing for radical, activist judges. This is especially concerning as Senate Democrats seek to end the bipartisan blue slip process so they can bypass advice and consent with home state senators and ram through left-wing judges,” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC.) posted on Twitter on April 17.
“Sen. Feinstein has been an extraordinary senator and she’s a good friend of mine. During the last two years, there’s been a concerted campaign to force her off the judiciary committee, and I will have no part of that,” said Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).
“I don’t think Republicans can or should help President Biden’s most controversial nominees,” Sen. John Cornyn said. “I support having Sen. Feinstein come back as soon as she can. But this effort to confirm controversial and in many instances largely unqualified nominees, I don’t think you can expect any Republican cooperation.”
“I don’t think senatorial courtesy will work to move liberal judges,” Sen. Chuck Grassley said to CNN.
Republican Sen. John Thune said that Democrats could be using this to increase the pressure of Feinstein to retire.
“The Dems are sort of using this because they want pressure on her to resign and I think this gives them… sort of a lever to do that,” the senator said.
“I will not go along with Chuck Schumer’s plan to replace Senator Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee and pack the court with activist judges,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn said.
“Republicans should not assist Democrats in confirming Joe Biden’s most radical nominees to the courts,” Sen. Tom Cotton said.
