Senate pauses Michael P. Drescher nomination after contentious floor debate; motion to recommit moved

The Vermont Senate paused consideration of Michael P. Drescher's nomination to be an associate justice of the Vermont Supreme Court after an extended and contentious floor presentation on Wednesday.

A presenting senator summarized Drescher's long legal resume — Dartmouth and Northwestern education, years at the U.S. Attorney's Office including service as acting U.S. attorney, and participation in the Purdue Pharma litigation — but focused floor attention on Drescher's role in defending the government's positions in recent high-profile immigration detention cases involving Ramesa Oster and Mosa Medawar. The presenter told senators that, "at the end of the day, he did make arguments that were for the purpose of vindicating the unconstitutional detention of 2 individuals," and said he would vote against confirmation.

The presenter also reported the committee vote as 3-2-0 and characterized it as "no recommendation." Another senator, expressing dismay at the committee's action, moved to recommit the nomination to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further consideration.

Before the recommit motion was resolved on the floor, another senator asked that the Senate take a recess to allow extended, dignified discussion outside the floor setting. The presiding officer put the recess question, a division was requested and conducted, and the clerk announced the ayes were 17 and the nays 13. The Senate stood in recess until 10:30, pausing further floor action on Drescher's nomination.

Because the Senate recessed before a final floor vote on the recommit motion or the nomination, the nomination's ultimate status remains pending; the Judiciary Committee or the full Senate must resolve next steps when the body reconvenes.