Senate Democrats struggle, but succeed in moving forward judge nominees

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, filed cloture on three of President Joe Biden's California district court nominees, but Republicans slowed the process down in an hours-long session Monday night, promising a contentious confirmation process for all of them.

The legislative process is usually routine, but Senate Republican Leader John Thune, R-SD, forced roll call votes on the procedure to switch from legislative and executive session and back, which is generally done without opposition. He did the same on other Biden judicial nominees in different states.

The nominees who moved forward were Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Anne Hwang and State Bar Court Judge Cynthia Valenzuela Dixon for the Central District; and Alameda County Superior Court Judge Noel Wise for the Northern District.

All three nominees will need votes to cut off debate and then a final confirmation vote.

Four years ago, the Senate approved nominations of then-outgoing President Donald Trump during the lame duck session. With Trump elected for a second term and a Republican Senate taking control in early January, Democrats only have a few weeks left to confirm Biden's judicial nominees.

Schumer vowed to push through Biden's remaining nominees before Senate control flips to the Republicans even if it means holding weekend and holiday sessions.

Other Biden nominees are Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Serena Murillo, for the Central District, as well as U.S. Magistrate Judge Benjamin J. Cheeks and San Diego County Superior Court Judge Rebecca S. Kanter for the Southern District. The nominations of Murillo and Cheeks, made last month, were officially sent to the Senate this week.

Kanter's nomination has been pending before the Senate Judiciary Committee for months. Their nominations all must be considered by the committee, and approved, before they get to the Senate floor.