Staff Reports
In a heated exchange, Republican senators expressed their frustration after Democratic Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin denied them the opportunity to speak about judicial nominations undergoing consideration. The panel was specifically reviewing two District court nominations in Oregon and California.
Durbin rebuffed Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s request to address the nominees, asserting, “I understand what you would like to do, but I’m saying that in fairness, we have debated these nominees twice.” This decision prompted a strong objection from Republican Sen. Tom Cotton, who argued that curtailing the debate was a mistake and warned of potential consequences.
PATHETIC: Senate Democrats won't even let Republicans speak against the far-left activists they've nominated for the federal judiciary.
WATCH IN FULL: pic.twitter.com/FR1PSHD4g7
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) November 30, 2023
As Durbin initiated a roll call and shut down Blackburn's attempt to speak, tensions soared. Sen. Lindsey Graham attempted to engage Durbin in dialogue, emphasizing that many senators had yet to voice their opinions on the nominees and urging him to reconsider.
With no response from Durbin, Cotton questioned the decision to end all debate, sarcastically suggesting that he was preventing women from speaking as well. Sen. John Cornyn accused Durbin of undermining the Senate Judiciary Committee and cautioned that "what goes around comes around."
Ultimately, the panel proceeded to vote on the nomination of Seth Aframe to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, with Graham making a final attempt to open up debate. Blackburn objected once more, contending that it was inappropriate not to allow them to be heard on the nominations. A spokesperson for Durbin later defended his actions, stating that he followed precedent.
