McConnell Makes Senate Confirm 15 More Judges Before Going Home

The Senate approved a package of President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees Thursday, notching another 15 confirmations just days after Justice Brett Kavanaugh was installed on the U.S. Supreme Court.

The confirmations came as half a dozen Democrat lawmakers, particularly those in red states, were pressed to return home to defend their Senate seats for the final stretch before the November midterm elections.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., seized on the opportunity and made Democrats an offer: The Senate would adjourn until after the midterm elections, provided Democrats don’t force the full 30 hours of debate allowed for each nominee.

Democrat leaders were left at an impasse: They could keep their caucus in the Capitol to oppose the nominees—effectively ceding the campaign trail to Republican challengers—or confirm Trump’s judges briskly and risk alienating their supporters.

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