Senate Judiciary Committee reports multiple judicial and U.S. attorney nominees after contentious debate

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to favorably report several of President Trump’s judicial and U.S. attorney nominees to the full Senate and held one nominee over, after extended debate in which Democrats raised objections involving experience, past positions and ideological commitments.

Committee members voted to report Whitney Herrmannedorfer, Zachary Bluestone, Joshua (Josh) Devine, Maria Lanahan, Christian Stevens, Bart Davis (U.S. attorney, District of Idaho) and David Metcalfe (U.S. attorney, Eastern District of Pennsylvania). The nomination of Kurt Wall was listed for the first time and was held over for later consideration.

The nominations drew sharp exchanges along party lines. Senator Dick Durbin said the nominees “have demonstrated their commitment to the rule of law and judicial independence,” and urged his colleagues to provide bipartisan support. Senator Richard Blumenthal said several nominees were “outside the mainstream” and described them as “zealots” for their ideological positions. Senator Marsha Blackburn spoke in favor of Whitney Herrmannedorfer, praising her academic and professional credentials and urging the committee to advance her nomination.

Why it matters: confirmations of lifetime federal judgeships and U.S. attorneys shape federal enforcement and jurisprudence for years. Committee votes move nominations to the full Senate for final…