Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., kept the Senate in session this month with two goals in mind. First, he wanted to prevent vulnerable Democrats from getting out on the campaign trail. The longer they’re stuck in Washington, the less time they have to defend their records back home.

Second, he wanted to keep the judicial confirmations rolling, in spite of ongoing Democratic obstruction. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has been resourceful in using every possible tool to delay hearings and votes for as long as possible.