Remember how Mitch McConnell was going to prove that Republicans could govern, and all the political reporters dutifully reported that he was going to do that? This is
McConnell's definition of governing.
With the year half over, Republicans in the Senate are on pace to confirm the fewest federal judges since Richard Nixon was in the White House in 1969. […]
In response to the criticism, Republicans point to the fact that Obama has had 311 judges confirmed since taking office. George W. Bush at this same point in his presidency had only 276, they say. However, the Democratic-led Senate confirmed 40 judges in 2007, during Bush's sixth year in office.
So there's that. Republicans also will point to the
confirmation this week of Kara Stoll to be a U.S. circuit court judge for the federal circuit, the first Hispanic woman to reach that level. She was confirmed unanimously, despite the long delay it took for her nomination to make it to the floor. She was initially nominated in November, renominated in January and approved by the Judiciary Committee in April. She might very well be the
only circuit judge to get a confirmation vote for the remainder of President Obama's term.
At least, that's what McConnell has promised. But politics could intervene, like needing to prove that Republicans don't necessarily hate Latinos and holding onto vulnerable Republican Senate seats. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA), who is up for re-election next year, got into a lot of hot water at home for blocking one of his own circuit nominees, Luis Felipe Restrepo. Toomey has finally given his approval, but Chairman Chuck Grassley is still sitting on the nomination.