Senate GOP still not interested in nixing blue slips, Thune says
Senate Majority Leader John Thune poured cold water on a fresh call by President Donald Trump for Republicans to nix the "blue slip" practice that gives senators an effective veto over presidential nominees to certain posts in their states.
“There are many Republican senators, way more Republican senators who are interested in preserving that than those who aren’t," Thune told reporters. He comparing it to the overwhelming GOP sentiment in favor of keeping the 60-vote filibuster rule, which Trump also opposes.
The blue slip precedent applies to nominees to serve as district judges, U.S. attorneys and U.S. marshals. Among the Trump appointees who have not gotten Democratic assent is Alina Habba, his pick for U.S. attorney in New Jersey who was recently disqualified from her acting role by a federal court.
Opposition from Democrats is not the only obstacle to confirming more Trump appointees, however: Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said during a committee meeting Thursday he would like to process more judicial nominees but is waiting on Trump to send them.
According to his prepared remarks, Grassley said he would also like to advance more U.S. attorney picks, but “I’m hamstrung waiting for background investigations and other paperwork from the administration.”
