Grassley, Dems step up battle over judicial nominees

The Hill ^ | February 19, 2018

[SMGFan]

The battle between Senate Democrats and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) over the “blue-slip rule” escalated this week, after another one of President Trump’s judicial nominees advanced without the approval of both of their home-state senators

The blue-slip rule — which Democrats describe as a long-running Senate tradition Grassley has taken to ignore — has become a flashpoint for members on the Judiciary Committee. The committee has been tasked with considering the slew of nominees from the Trump administration, many of which have been controversial.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the committee’s top Democrat, said that Grassley’s decision to hold nomination hearings and approve two nominees who lacked a blue slip from a home-state senator marked a landmark change in committee tradition. Home-state senators have historically been able to block nominees by refusing to return a blue paper of approval to the committee. It’s a courtesy, rather than a formal Senate rule, and whether it’s followed is entirely up to whoever helms the Judiciary Committee — in this case, Grassley.

[SMGFan]

Time for that courtesy is over. Change rules also if necessary

[FrankR]

[Alberta's Child]

Absolutely.

The President is damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't. One U.S. Senator should never have veto power over a Federal court appointment.

[colorado tanker]

Democrats, you took the nuclear option to strip the filibuster for judicial nominees. We sure as hell are not gonna let one Senator block nominees.

[circlecity]

When Harry Reid got rid of longstanding filibuster rules for judicial nominees then all bets were off. They did it now we’re doing it.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Unconstitutional constrain on the president’s absolute authority to appoint federal judges and a usurpation of the Senate’s advice and consent responsibility.

[Michael.SF.]

It’s a courtesy, rather than a formal Senate rule

Ted the swimmer through courtesy out the window at the Thomas hearing and high tech lynching.

[jospehm20]

Feinstein is a totalitarian pig. To hell with her.

[olezip]

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the committee’s top Democrat, said that Grassley’s decision to hold nomination hearings and approve two nominees who lacked a blue slip from a home-state senator marked a landmark change in committee tradition.

Home-state senators have been abusing their opportunity to nominate qualified candidates. They have been slow walking and stopping nominees on strictly partisan grounds. That egregious behavior must stop or be bypassed.

Hate of the POTUS is not an acceptable objection to the approval of a nominee.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Always needed an investigation into how her hubby landed so many big dollar contracts in Iraq.

[SMGFan]

someday she will be gone and Kamela Harris will be Senior Senator for years to come

[jospehm20]

Didn’t he get the contract to sell off the DoD Presidio real estate too?

[gov_bean_ counter]

Not sure about that. Would not surprise me.

[onona]

Great

[DIRTYSECRET]

Question: Is 51 votes all we need? Then it’s Trump/McConnels issue.

[tennmountainman]

Screw the blue slip rule.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Turtle will have to borrow a set...

[jospehm20]

My mistake, I guess it was US Post Office property.

https://www.newsmax.com/US/Dianne-Feinstein-Post-Office-sale-Richard-Blum/2015/01/20/id/619664/

[ncalburt]

I would like a few answers on Feinstein’s husband China scams.
They were mind blowing insider deals.

[raiderboy]

It is time to take a flame thrower to these communists bastards. quit pussy footing round, We are in a battle for survival!! this is not a damned game!!