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The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced several of President Trump’s judicial nominations to the full Senate for final confirmation on Tuesday. The move came as part of Republicans’ efforts to confirm the president’s picks before losing Congress in January.The committee voted along partisan lines (12-10) to send District Court nominees Daniel Ballou (Eastern District of Kentucky), Richard Bennett (Southern District of Texas), and Courtney Coker (Northern District of Texas) to the full Senate. The body also advanced the nomination of Kyle Reardon (District of Alaska) in a 16-6 vote, with several Democrats joining Republicans in support.
The Judiciary Committee decided to postpone votes for other outstanding judicial nominations until next week. The move appears to be in accordance with committee rules, which state, “At the request of any member, or by action of the Chair, a bill, matter, or nomination on the agenda of the Committee may be held over until the next meeting of the Committee or for one week, whichever occurs later.”
The nominees will fill several of the more than two dozen Article III vacancies still open, according to Ballotpedia.
Notably included in Tuesday’s list of held-over nominees is Arkansas-based District Judge Lee Rudofsky, who Trump nominated for a judgeship on the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. Reports emerged early this week indicating that Rudofsky’s nomination is being held up by Arkansas Republican Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton.
Individuals familiar with the situation have alleged the senators are doing so due to Boozman’s preference for Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Cody Hiland to fill the position. Hiland previously said during remarks before law students in August that he expected to be nominated for the 8th Circuit seat but was offered a district court seat instead, which he declined.
Boozman did not dispute the allegations against him when pressed on the matter by local media. While saying he “continue[s] to appreciate Judge Rudofsky’s service in the Eastern District of Arkansas,” the senator stopped short of publicly backing Rudofsky’s nomination. --->READ MORE HERE
President Donald Trump is urging the Senate to confirm 25 federal judges before Republicans surrender their majority in January, as resistance from Arkansas’s senators threatens a nominee whose confirmation would give Trump appointees a majority on a federal appeals court for the first time.
“Very important for the U.S. Senate to confirm all of our pending 161 Nominations, including 25 Federal Judges,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Monday evening.
The president’s pressure comes as Sens. John Boozman (R-AR) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) are said to be opposing Lee Rudofsky’s nomination to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, favoring Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Cody Hiland instead, according to judicial nominations insiders.
One source told the Washington Examiner the most friction against Rudofsky appears to be coming from Boozman, while Cotton is more concerned with shoring up Boozman’s support. Neither senator’s office responded to requests for comment.
The dispute has drawn criticism from Trump allies who warn Republicans are jeopardizing a chance to shape the judiciary before Democrats take control, building on a first term in which Trump appointed three Supreme Court justices and 54 federal appeals court judges. Former President Joe Biden, by comparison, appointed one Supreme Court justice and 45 federal appeals court judges during his four years in office.
“After losing the Republican Senate, Boozman is now blocking Rudofsky because he wants to negotiate with Democrats for his friend,” Robert Luther III, who worked on judicial nominations in Trump’s first White House, posted on X. “Arkansans deserve better.”
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), set to become the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee in January, urged colleagues to confirm Rudofsky and Trump’s remaining judicial nominees. --->READ MORE HERE
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