'Conveyor belt of radicals': GOP slammed over Senate absences that helped Biden score more judges in lame duck - Newsfortoday

Senate Republicans Face Criticism Over Vote Absences

The recent voting week in the U.S. Senate has put Republican lawmakers under intense scrutiny, as several absences allowed Democrats to confirm judicial nominees who could have otherwise been blocked. The situation underscored the importance of attendance during pivotal votes, particularly in the looming aftermath of Republican leadership changes.

Crucial Judicial Votes Impacted

One of the most significant votes occurred on a Monday when a lifetime appointment to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court was on the table. The Democrats were not expected to secure enough votes for President Biden’s nominee, primarily due to outgoing Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who voted against the nominee.

However, the absence of key Republican senators—Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), JD Vance (R-Ohio), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)—allowed the nominee to be confirmed with a 49 to 45 vote.

Reactions from GOP Leaders

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis lashed out at the absentees, stating, “This leftist judge would have been voted down, and the seat on the important 11th circuit would have been filled by Donald Trump next year had Republicans shown up.” He emphasized that the ramifications would likely affect residents in key states like Florida, Alabama, and Georgia.

Mike Davis, former chief counsel for nominations to Senator Chuck Grassley, reiterated the sentiment, insisting that attendance is a fundamental duty of senators: “A senator’s only job is to show up and vote.” He criticized the Republicans for their lack of action against what he deemed “radical left-wing judges.”

Tension Among Senate Republicans

A senior Senate source revealed to Fox News Digital that many in the Republican conference were frustrated with their colleagues’ absences during the critical voting session. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina was reportedly one of the most vocal critics, expressing concern over the missed opportunity to block judicial nominees.

Vice President-elect JD Vance, who was newly elected but still serving in the Senate, stated, “I will move heaven and earth to be there for the vote” whenever there’s a real chance of defeating one of these nominees, despite the traditional norms surrounding vice presidential duties during Senate voting.

Trade-offs with Chuck Schumer

In a separate statement, Trump-Vance Transition spokesman Brian Hughes highlighted that Chuck Schumer should not be allowed to undermine the transition’s ability to staff the incoming administration. This sentiment encapsulated the urgency among Republican leaders as they strived to match judicial appointments with their party’s agenda.

Vance made history as the first senator in over a century to vote on a judicial nomination following his election as vice president. He attended vital votes while other Republican senators were still absent, indicating a proactive approach to securing judicial nominations aligned with Republican values.

Travel Issues and Absences

Daines attributed his delay, which caused him to miss crucial votes, to severe travel disruptions, which included runway closures and a medical emergency. His office confirmed that he rushed to the Senate floor to cast his vote upon arriving in Washington, D.C., late at night.

The offices of Braun, Hagerty, and Rubio did not provide immediate comments, although Rubio has been nominated by Trump as a candidate for Secretary of State. The repeated absences of GOP senators continued to hinder critical votes, indicating a concerning trend for the Republican party’s ability to unify behind judicial confirmations.

Missed Opportunities for the GOP

In an alarming pattern, Senate Republicans were unable to block Democrat nominees for several judicial appointments throughout the week due to these absences. Cruz and Braun’s absence on Wednesday led to another confirmation of a district judge opposed by Manchin, further cementing Schumer and Biden’s successes.

Tillis took to social media to voice his frustrations on this trend. He asserted that Schumer was trying to push through Biden’s liberal judicial nominees and emphasized the necessity for full Republican participation to block these appointments. He urged every GOP senator to prioritize attendance during this crucial time.

Potential Solutions and Future Prospects

As the week wrapped up, Republican senators, including Tillis, managed to negotiate a deal with Schumer concerning future judicial confirmations. This agreement secured four circuit court vacancies for Trump’s administration while allowing several district court judges to be voted upon without protracted delays.

Senate Minority Whip John Thune, recently elected to lead the GOP Senate minority, exerted pressure on absent senators, highlighting the critical nature of their presence during voting sessions. Sources indicated that Thune was particularly insistent on the need for Republicans to be present for meaningful debates and votes on judicial confirmations.