Manchin signals willingness to back Biden's final push on judges

• Manchin told Axios that "we're in different times right now" when asked about his previous pledge, adding that "my Republican friends are under the microscope."

Between the lines: With Republicans taking the Senate and White House in 2025, this is last call for Democrats on judges for at least four years.

• Manchin's vote is critical for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to confirm nominees in a 51-49 Senate. Judicial confirmations are the top priority for Schumer through the end of the year.
• Schumer told Senate Democrats in a private lunch Thursday that he is planning to move on more judges and told his caucus to prepare to be in town for long weeks, sources familiar with the meeting said.
• Manchin's position was first reported Thursday on "X" by Semafor's Burgess Everett.

The big picture: One judicial nomination this week got just one Republican vote — Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Ak.) — and Democratic sources have acknowledged they are concered that Republicans could drop all support in the lame-duck session.

• Senate Democrats confirmed three federal judges this week, bringing their total under the Biden administration to 215. They also advanced on Thursday two nominees to be considered on the floor. They are chasing the Trump record of 234 confirmations.
• Manchin said he would evaluate judges on a case by case basis, but that it was still important to work in a bipartisan manner.
• "I'm looking if there is an attempt to try to get a Republican" on each nomination, Manchin said.

Go deeper: Manchin opens door for Schumer on judicial confirmations