Pedantic. Factionalized. Dog-tired. They’re all words that could describe the state of the U.S. Senate this week.
In combat by roll call vote, the GOP earned a small victory this week by delaying the confirmation of several judges, eventually striking a deal with the Democrats to prevent the seating of four liberal judges to circuit court spots.
But the tactics that ground the chamber to a halt came at a curious time: Right before Republicans retake the Senate majority. And if Democrats are to be believed, the GOP’s dilatory schemes might spark a prolonged war come next Congress, when Republicans try to pass their own bills and confirm their own nominees.