Senate Republicans May Go 'Nuclear' to Fill Massive Judicial Vacancies - Current Rules Would Take 32 Years!

Senate Republican leaders are preparing to go "nuclear" to clear the way for a quicker confirmation of judicial nominees. More than 130 federal court seats are sitting empty, and Republicans say it's all because of Democrat delay tactics.

Republicans, led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), want to get the spots filled with conservative judges before the end of President Trump's first term. 

McConnell is considering enacting a rule change to speed up the process and fill the lower court spots. The rule would change the debate time from 30 hours to just two hours. The change would allow most spots to be filled over the next 20 months. 

"The last thing I heard is it would take up to 32 years if we continue the current pace and get every one of the Trump nominees completed," said Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC). "You're forcing the government to work in a dysfunctional way and we don't need any assistance in that."

The Senate is expected to confirm the 34th Circuit Court judge of Trump's presidency next week and they have three other nominees ready. If they are approved, President Trump will have filled roughly 20 percent of the Circuit Court seats in the country. 

"The committee is working to put judges out on the floor and as soon as they come to the floor the leader's making it a priority to move them," said Sen. John Thune (R-SD), McConnell's top deputy. "It'll be a high priority for the foreseeable future. I mean, it's one of the things we can do that we don't need the House's help with."

Democrats are attempting to fight the issue, even stating some liberal judges will not retire as long as Trump is president. Republicans argue Democrats are obstructing the process by delaying President Trump's nominees. For example, Naomi Rao -- who's on track to fill Brett Kavanaugh's seat on a key appeals court -- is facing opposition over past writings about date rape and her views on abortion. 

In an interview Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) shared a potential compromise to avoid the "nuclear" plan. His compromise includes reinstatement of the "blue slip" practice in exchange for bipartisan support on the debate time change. 

Ballotpedia explains the "Blue Slip" practice allows the US senator from the home state in which the lower court judicial nomination has been received to give the "blue slip" to the Senate Judiciary Committee chair or withhold it to delay the case indefinitely. 

In response to the offer, GOP senators criticized Schumer. 

"We can get what we need without giving Democratic senators a veto on home-state circuit judges," said Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).
 
Back in January, President Trump took to Twitter to criticize Democrats for their resistance. 

"For FAR TOO LONG Senate Democrats have been Obstructing more than 350 Nominations," President Trump tweeted. "These great Americans left their jobs to serve our Country, but can't because Dems are blocking them, some for two years - historic record. Passed committees, but Schumer putting them on hold. Bad!"

For FAR TOO LONG Senate Democrats have been Obstructing more than 350 Nominations. These great Americans left their jobs to serve our Country, but can't because Dems are blocking them, some for two years-historic record. Passed committees, but Schumer putting them on hold. Bad!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2019