These nominees are generally noncontroversial types swept up by politics in the bitter post-“nuclear option” world after outgoing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid changed the rules on filibusters.
But we’ve been hearing talk for some time that a deal might be reached on many of these folks.
For example, there are 32 nominees for ambassadorships pending on the Senate floor, 23 of them career, non-political diplomats pining to go to places you’d never even want to visit. Some of them have been waiting as long as 16 months to go to Albania and Timor-Leste. If the Senate wants to show a modicum of functionality, moving them out is pretty much a no-brainer.
(There are nine “political” ambassadorial nominees, including some big bundlers, whose confirmations might be more, let’s say, awkward, although some do appear qualified.)
The 16 district (trial court) judges pending also offer ground for compromise — in part because they’re not up for the more important appeals court seats. Two of them already have “unanimous consent” agreements, so they are assured of putting on the robes.
Most of the rest enjoy solid GOP backing, including four backed by Georgia Sens. Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss, four from Pennsylvania supported by Sen. Pat Toomey and two from Kentucky, including one who’s Sen. Rand Paul’s neighbor and friend.
Another eight district court nominees are expected to be on the floor next week, including three who are backed by Texas GOP Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz.
So if anyone’s looking for any easy “See? We can get things done” chest-thumpers, nominees may be the place to start.
(Oh and don’t forget! Friday, Nov. 21, is the first anniversary of the “nuclear option.” So happy anniversary?)
