Dems push for increased scrutiny of Trump’s court picks
By Lydia Wheeler - 12/23/18 07:14 PM EST
A staunch ally of President Trump will soon wield the gavel on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Democrats are worried they will have little power to act as the first line of defense when the panel considers judicial nominees.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the committee’s most senior Republican member, is expected to take over as chairman after lawmakers convene for the 116th Congress in early January. He will succeed Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who has made judicial confirmations the panel's main focus during his tenure, drawing criticism from opponents for how quickly he moved nominees to the floor.
Democrats on the committee such as Sens. Mazie Hirono (Hawaii) and Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.) want to see changes under Graham's leadership, chief among them the restoration of what's known as the blue-slip rule.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/422270-dems-push-for-increased-scrutiny-of-trumps-court-picks
