Big changes are on the horizon for the U.S. Senate. Starting next year, Republicans will take the wheel, booting Democrats to the back seat and turning their two-year joyride into a defensive scramble. After ramming through their progressive wish list, the Democrats now find themselves racing against the clock to squeeze in every last win before the new sheriff arrives.
Right now, Chuck Schumer and his crew have two months left to play offense. They’re trying to confirm as many Biden-nominated judges as possible, frantically stacking the courts before Republicans officially take over. It’s like watching someone try to cram a Thanksgiving turkey into the oven at the last minute—messy, rushed, and destined to fall apart.
But Senate Republicans, led by the soon-to-be Senate Majority Whip John Thune, are not about to roll over and play nice. If Schumer thought the GOP would politely hold the door open for his last-minute judicial blitz, he clearly hasn’t met John Thune.
Republicans Pump the Brakes on Schumer’s Judicial Frenzy
Schumer tried to fast-track judicial confirmations ahead of Thanksgiving, filing cloture on several Biden nominees. His goal? Cram as many judges through the Senate pipeline as possible before time runs out. Unfortunately for Schumer, Republicans have been brushing up on their procedural blockades.
Instead of letting Democrats breeze through their checklist, the GOP turned every step into a slog. Unanimous consent? Denied. Fast transitions between legislative and executive sessions? Forget it. Republicans stretched what should’ve been a quick round of confirmations into a late-night marathon.
“If Schumer thought we’d let him waltz through multiple lifetime judicial appointments without a fight, he thought wrong,” Thune remarked. That’s Republican for: Welcome to gridlock, folks.
Meanwhile, Schumer is trying his best to keep up appearances. He’s busy touting the diversity of Biden’s 215 confirmed judges—public defenders, civil rights lawyers, and the like. Admirable credentials aside, even Schumer knows this sprint is a Hail Mary to outdo Trump’s first-term record of 234 judicial confirmations.
A Legacy on the Line
Let’s call this what it is: a desperate attempt to rewrite Biden’s floundering legacy by playing catch-up with Trump. The Biden administration has treated judicial nominations like a political counterbalance to Trump’s conservative judiciary, hoping that enough lifetime appointments will somehow tip the scales.
But the GOP isn’t buying it. They’re making Democrats work for every vote, stalling the process at every turn. And frankly, why shouldn’t they? In just a few weeks, Republicans will control the Senate. Why would they let Schumer cement Biden’s judicial agenda on their watch?
A New Senate Era
When Republicans officially take over, it’s game over for Schumer’s rubber-stamping days. The GOP will shift gears, steering the Senate toward conservative priorities while holding the Biden administration accountable. Translation: no more free passes for Democrats.
With John Thune already flexing his procedural muscles and Trump likely to make a return, the message is loud and clear: the era of unchecked liberal policymaking is done. Let the gridlock begin.