Dec 20, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Schumer and Biden eclipse McConnell and Trump on confirming judges

Stephen Neukam

S Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat from New York, speaks at a Hanukkah event at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on December 17, 2024. — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Photo: Allison Robbert/AFP

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) confirmed his 235th federal judge on Friday, breaking the record set by Republicans under the first Trump administration.

Why it matters: It's the most confirmations in a single term since the Carter administration and the end of the line for Democratic judicial nominees for at least four years.

Schumer confirmed 22 federal judges in the Senate's lame-duck session. It was his top priority before leaving power.
Schumer and Democrats beat the GOP record from the first Trump administration by just one judge.

The big picture: The 235 confirmations set a new benchmark that President-elect Trump and incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) will undoubtedly try to best.

Schumer confirmed many of the judges with a bipartisan coalition of votes. He had just a one-seat majority for the last two years of the Biden administration.
Thune will have more wiggle room in his first two years as leader, with a majority of three seats.

Add Axios on Google

Schumer and Biden eclipse McConnell and Trump on confirming judges

What to read next