Change is coming to the U.S. Senate. Next year, Republicans will take control, relegating Democrats to the minority party. After two years of ramming through their agenda, Democrats now face the grim reality of having to play defense.

For now, they have two months left to squeeze in every last confirmation and legislative victory, but the clock is ticking—and Republicans aren’t making it easy.

Democrats must be feeling the heat. They’re watching their majority slip away and scrambling to confirm as many of President Biden’s judicial nominees as possible. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has made it his top priority, hoping to stack the courts before Republicans officially take the reins.

But Republicans, led by the soon-to-be Senate Majority Whip John Thune, are putting up a fight and slowing down the process. The days of Democrats running roughshod are officially over.

From Fox News:
Senate Republicans opted to delay votes and draw out floor action on Monday night after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., sought to stack additional judicial confirmation votes on the calendar ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Republicans Slow Down Democrats’ Judicial Blitz

Senate Republicans made it clear this week: they’re not going to let Democrats breeze through their final weeks without a battle.

Schumer attempted to push a wave of judicial confirmations before Thanksgiving, filing cloture on several Biden-nominated judges. Republicans, however, have adopted procedural maneuvers to gum up the works, forcing additional votes and delaying the process.

“If Schumer thought Republicans would just roll over and let him confirm multiple lifetime Biden-appointed judges without a fight, he thought wrong,” said John Thune.

Republicans objected to unanimous consent requests, forcing time-consuming votes to transition between legislative and executive sessions. What might have been a quick evening of confirmations turned into a late-night marathon, with GOP senators effectively running out the clock.

Schumer, undeterred, doubled down on his priorities in floor remarks. He touted the diversity and backgrounds of Biden’s 215 confirmed judges, highlighting their experience as public defenders, civil rights lawyers, and more.

But with time running out, even Schumer knows Democrats are facing an uphill battle to beat Trump’s record of 234 judicial confirmations in his first term.

Democrats Scramble to Cement Biden’s Judicial Legacy

For Democrats, this judicial rush isn’t just about filling seats—it’s about beating Trump’s legacy. Biden has been laser-focused on surpassing Trump’s first-term judicial confirmations, viewing it as a way to counterbalance the conservative shift in the judiciary.

Schumer made it clear that the lame-duck session is all about judges, judges, and more judges.

But Republicans are having none of it. By slowing down the process, they’re making Democrats work for every vote. And why shouldn’t they?

The GOP is just weeks away from reclaiming power in the Senate. Why let Democrats solidify their judicial agenda without a fight?

What’s Next for the Senate

With Republicans poised to take over, the dynamic in the Senate will shift dramatically. Schumer’s days of rubber-stamping Biden’s nominees are coming to an end.

Instead, Republicans will steer the ship, focusing on conservative priorities and holding the Biden administration accountable. It’s a stark reversal from the last two years and one that Democrats are clearly dreading.

John Thune’s leadership marks a new era of Republican strategy. He’s already shown he’s willing to dig in and use procedural tactics to block the Democrats’ agenda.

With Trump looming large as the President-Elect, the Senate’s direction is clear: no more free passes for Biden or the Democrats.

Key Takeaways

• Republicans ready to lead: The GOP is already flexing its muscles, slowing down Democrats’ final pushes.
• Judicial wars heat up: Schumer is scrambling to confirm as many Biden judges as possible before the GOP takes over.
• A new Senate dynamic: Republican leadership will prioritize accountability and conservative values.

Source: Fox News