Senate considering major overhaul to judicial nomination process

The Senate Judiciary Committee may revert its process for confirming circuit court judges to allow for more rights for the minority party — if both parties can come to an agreement before November.

The so-called “blue slip” prevented circuit court judicial nominees from proceeding unless both senators from the state approved of the pick. The tool was scrapped in 2017 under GOP control of the Senate and was not restored when Democrats took over the majority in 2021. Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL) opened the door to reinstating the policy during a committee hearing last week but said it would have to be approved by both parties.