Senate's Final Push: More Judges Confirmed Before Power Shift

In a significant move, the Senate confirmed the 235th federal judge nominated by President Biden right before the deadline. This was a record-breaking accomplishment, surpassing the number of judges confirmed during the first Trump term. This effort was part of Democrats' plan to reshape the federal courts, aiming for more diversity in ethnicity and legal experience. They celebrated not just the number of judges but also their varied backgrounds, breaking from the past practice of mainly appointing white former prosecutors and corporate lawyers. Senator Chuck Schumer emphasized the lasting impact of this achievement, stating it would profoundly affect people's lives for generations. The intense effort means that President-elect Donald Trump will take office with fewer vacancies compared to 2017, when over 100 judgeships were open due to Republican blockades. However, Trump could get more if Biden signs legislation creating new federal court slots, but the White House has indicated a veto. Democrats managed this feat despite a split Senate, with 50-50 in the first two years and 51-49 in the next two. Senator Richard J. Durbin highlighted the importance of committee rules, requiring all members to be present for confirmation consideration. Of the 235 judges, two-thirds are women and people of color. Biden named more Black women to judgeships than any previous president, including more to appellate courts than all predecessors combined. Notably, more former public defenders and historic firsts, like the first Muslim American man and woman on the federal bench, were appointed. Despite these achievements, Democrats fell short in some areas compared to Trump. He had three Supreme Court vacancies, while Biden had one. Trump also filled more appellate court seats, giving him more influence on these crucial courts. Progressives criticized Biden for not having more impact at the appellate level due to a post-election deal that traded appeals court seats for smoother confirmations of lower-court nominees. Republicans acknowledged Democrats' strategy, comparing it to their own during Trump's first term. They saw this as an opportunity to rebalance the courts, with federal courts increasingly serving as arenas for political disputes.

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