Stiff Headwinds For Obama In Effort To Fill Judicial Vacancies Ahead of Midterms

The Obama administration is pushing to confirm judges to federal courts ahead of the midterm elections, which could spell the end of the  Democratic majority in the Senate. And, with the possibility that Republicans may shut down the confirmation process any time between now and November, the window may be closing soon. “The Democrats have to think long and hard about this now,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told the New York Times. “We’re getting into that time period where traditionally the closer the election, the less activity. We’re likely to be in charge next year. They need to think long and hard about what they’re doing.” The Times reports that three lawyers in the White House counsel’s office are working full time to vet potential nominees.