### GOP Senators Push Colleagues to Block Biden's Judicial Nominees

Recent absences among Republican senators have allowed Senate Democrats to confirm several of President Joe Biden's judicial nominees, sparking frustration within the GOP ranks. Among those criticized for their absence are Vice President-elect JD Vance from Ohio and Marco Rubio of Florida, slated to be Secretary of State under a Trump administration. This situation prompted a stern response from their colleagues during a weekly caucus lunch and in conversations with the media.

Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana did not mince words regarding the missed votes. "There's no excuse for that, it's our job to be here and vote," Kennedy stated. Similarly, Senator John Hoeven from North Dakota emphasized the importance of participation, particularly in the context of confirming circuit court judges.

Donald Trump joined the fray, using his platform on Truth Social to rally Republican senators. "The Democrats are trying to stack the Courts with Radical Left Judges on their way out the door," Trump declared. He implored GOP senators to "Show Up and Hold the Line," thus preventing further confirmations before Inauguration Day. Ironically, Trump had invited several GOP senators to witness a SpaceX launch, coinciding with critical votes.

With Vice President Kamala Harris on vacation in Hawaii, and some typically unpredictable votes from Senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, Republican presence was crucial. However, their absence came at a critical time. For instance, Embry Kidd, a nominee for the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, was confirmed despite opposition from Manchin, causing an uproar from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

In another notable confirmation, Mustafa Taher Kasubhai was appointed as a U.S. District Court judge in Oregon by a 51-44 vote. Vance, who claimed he was engaged in interviews for federal office roles in a Trump administration, returned too late to impact the vote.

The Wall Street Journal editorial board criticized Vance, noting that his focus on a future role allowed Biden's nominees to secure lifetime positions on the federal bench. This critique highlights the stakes involved, given that as of the November 5 election, there were 47 vacancies on the federal bench, with 17 nominations pending. Biden has since added more nominees, bringing the current total awaiting confirmation to 30 as of Wednesday.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York is working against the clock to confirm as many nominees as possible before January 3, 2025, when the Senate majority changes hands. GOP senators, meanwhile, are attempting to slow the process with time-intensive votes on procedural steps.

Senator Shelley Moore Capito from West Virginia expressed her frustration with the late-night voting sessions, as the GOP aims to shift focus to other pressing national issues. However, this stands in stark contrast to the GOP's own strategies in late 2020, when they confirmed 23 of Trump's judicial nominees post-election.

Senator John Thune of South Dakota, who will soon replace Mitch McConnell as Senate GOP leader, articulated the current GOP stance, signaling a hardened approach to hinder Schumer’s efforts. Nonetheless, Schumer remains undeterred, warning that further late-night voting sessions are likely.

Should Democrats succeed in confirming most or all pending nominations, Trump will inherit roughly 20 judicial vacancies in January, significantly fewer than the 108 vacancies he had at the start of his initial term.