Sen. Cory Booker calls out Republicans for blocking Black judicial nominees
During Tuesday’s Senate session, Sen. Cory Booker took to the floor to fight for the nominations of Judge Julien Neals to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and of Judge Edward L. Stanton III to the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, both of whom were […]

During Tuesday’s Senate session, Sen. Cory Booker took to the floor to fight for the nominations of Judge Julien Neals to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and of Judge Edward L. Stanton III to the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, both of whom were nominated well over a year ago, and both of whom were long ago approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
There’s no credible reason why we’re not moving forward, besides partisanship. I just can’t see it. So I would like to rise again and make this request for unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations. Regular order would mean that we would go to these two judges who happen to be qualified African-Americans. Regular order would bring us to these long-standing men who have been sitting on the sidelines now for well over a year.
Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, of course, blocked Senator Booker’s motion, but lest you think that Booker just suddenly sprang this on McConnell, or that he was anything but collegial, he made this plea two weeks ago, and was sure to point out that the race of these two judges just had to be a coincidence.
Now I know my colleagues in the Republican Party, I know that this is not a conscious thing. I know this is a coincidence that is not intentional, that the two longest (pending) judges, the two only African American judges on this list of 15 are being skipped over, but I do feel it necessary to point out that fact.
Republican obstruction of President Obama’s nominees, including Judge Merrick Garland’s nomination to the Supreme Court, has been unprecedented. And Sen. Booker is justifiably calling it out.
Recommended

Joni Ernst celebrates gutting of USAID after complaining that it was understaffed
The shuttering of USAID has imperiled food assistance programs in Kenya and Sudan.
By Jesse Valentine - February 06, 2025
Republicans choose Thune as majority leader, despite his record on veterans’ health care
Thune flip-flopped three times on providing care to veterans exposed to toxic substances.
By Jesse Valentine - December 30, 2024
Ted Cruz’s website made dubious and untrue claims about his support for veterans
Cruz voted against veterans programs, then claimed credit for supporting them.
By Jesse Valentine - December 30, 2024