President Joe Biden is expected to secure the 235th judicial confirmation of his presidency, surpassing his predecessor’s total by one and setting a record for the most judicial appointments under any president.
Senate Set to Approve 235th Judge of Biden’s Term, Exceeding Trump’s Tally
President Joe Biden is expected to secure the 235th judicial confirmation of his presidency on Friday, surpassing his predecessor’s total by one. This milestone marks a significant achievement for Democrats, who have made filling federal courts a priority.
The Importance of Diversity in the Federal Judiciary
Biden and Senate Democrats have placed a strong emphasis on adding women, minorities, and public defenders to the judicial rank. As of now, about two-thirds of Biden’s appointees are women, while a majority of appointees are people of color. This effort aims to enhance the image of the court and its work product by bringing new perspectives to the bench.
A Shift in Priorities
Prior to Biden’s presidency, the number of women on the federal bench was significantly diminished, with an overwhelmingly white male presence. Democrats have made a conscious effort to increase diversity among judges, believing that it will improve judicial decision-making and build public trust.
The success of this initiative can be seen in the appointments made by Biden, including Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first African-American woman to serve on the nation’s highest court.
Challenges Ahead
While Democrats have achieved significant milestones, they also face challenges ahead. Republicans will inherit nearly three dozen judicial vacancies and are expected to fill them during their term in office. This could lead to a shift in the balance of power on the federal judiciary.
Despite this, Senate Republicans acknowledge that Democrats’ efforts have been noteworthy, with some even expressing admiration for the quality of nominees. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, noted that while diversity is important, it’s equally crucial to ensure that judges selected are not extreme partisans.
A New Era
As the Congress adjourns and a new Senate takes office, Democrats will have to continue their efforts to shape the federal judiciary. With the next chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, vowing to work towards surpassing Biden’s number of appointments, it’s clear that this issue will remain a priority for Republicans as well.
The prospects ahead are indeed sobering, with Trump inheriting nearly three dozen judicial vacancies and expected to continue shaping the federal judiciary during his term. However, with Democrats having made significant strides in increasing diversity among judges, it’s likely that the debate over judicial nominations will continue to be an important aspect of the political landscape.
