Headline Of The Day

Ted Cruz’ attempt to stop the budget bill has given the Democrats a window to force through the judicial nominations that the GOP has been blocking. Via Talking Points Memo:

Cruz, along with Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), blindsided Republican leaders by objecting and dragging out the process as they demanded a vote to defund Obama’s executive actions on immigration. What Cruz didn’t count on was Reid instead seizing on the occasion — which forced the Senate to stay in session for procedural votes — to move forward with starting the confirmation vote clock on a whopping 24 Obama nominations that otherwise might have been jettisoned. The Texan’s tactic angered numerous Republican colleagues.

“I think most Republicans think that Christmas came early for Democrats,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said, according to Roll Call, blaming Cruz. “I haven’t seen Harry smile this much in years, and I didn’t particularly like it.” Twelve of the nominations are for federal districts courts, an unusually high number to confirm in a lame duck session and a big boost to Obama’s judicial legacy. At least two prominent executive branch nominees face GOP opposition: Vivek Murthy for surgeon general (whom the National Rifle Association has been working to block) and Tony Blinken for deputy secretary of state. The confirmation votes will start Monday.