Flake Won’t Block Supreme Court Nominee

Sen. Jeff  Flake, a ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has blocked appeals court nominations in recent weeks because he wants the Senate to vote on an amendment that would limit President Trump’s ability to impose new taxes on foreign goods. After Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement there was speculation that Flake might hold up confirmation of his successor, but Flake tells the Arizona Republic that he will not. He hasn’t backed down on the tariffs issue, however. He says that he considers Congress’s refusal to deal with tariffs unconscionable. He has informed the chair of the Judiciary Committee that his stand on appeals court judges will continue, but it does not extend to nominees for district courts or the Supreme Court. Flake’s support will be crucial in respect to the Supreme Court. Republicans hold a slim 51-49 advantage over Democrats in the Senate, but the virtual certainty that any Trump nominee will be a vote against abortion puts the support of at least two Republicans, Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, in doubt.