The Congressional Black Caucus plans to oppose two of the Biden administration's judicial nominees if the Senate Judiciary Committee does not change its veto process.
The group notified Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL) of the issue in a letter this week.
The Congressional Black Caucus will oppose two of President @JoeBiden's judicial nominations if the Senate Judiciary Committee does not alter its "blue slip" process that involves the veto power of nominees.https://t.co/InfMBvWR57
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) July 13, 2023
“The continued misuse of the arcane Blue Slip as a tool for procedural obstruction and the failure to meaningfully engage CBC Members who have a jurisdictionally vested interest in nominations will undermine our joint endeavor to make a dramatic mark on the judiciary,” Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford (D-NV) wrote.
Despite praising Durbin and the Democrats for their work in diversifying judicial nominees, the caucus expressed its frustration with the nomination process.
NEWS - CBC is escalating fight over blue slips. Say they’ll oppose two judicial nominees up for consideration this am unless blue slip changes are made. https://t.co/6UIUbmBvlc
— Nicholas Wu (@nicholaswu12) July 12, 2023
"Black Caucus members have stressed their concerns are generally not about the nominees or their credentials themselves and instead come from the potential real-life impacts of judges’ rulings," Politico reported.
"It’s most acutely felt by Black Caucus members from blue districts in red states who have groused about the need to secure support from conservative senators to get judges confirmed — and the impact of conservative rulings on Black communities," it added.
The move could add to the current problems Biden has faced in getting his nominees confirmed.
The president has already dealt with numerous issues from Republicans who have pushed back against his radical nominees in various areas, including an FCC nominee who was highly opposed to conservative broadcasters.
Some conservatives have also stalled military nominations in an effort to force the Biden administration to negotiate.
The stall tactics are nothing new, but it is significant that Black leaders from among Democrats are using the strategy against their own party.
