Fresh from a defeat to Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris may play a pivotal role in advancing President Joe Biden’s judicial confirmations before leaving office. With Biden aiming to surpass Trump’s record of 234 judicial appointments in his first term, Democrats are gearing up for critical Senate battles. Harris, as president of the Senate, wields the constitutional power to break ties—a role she has frequently performed during Biden’s tenure, setting a record for decisive votes by any vice president.
Judicial appointments have become a priority for Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who are determined to clear the backlog before the new administration begins. At a recent lunch meeting, Biden and Harris discussed the urgent need to confirm as many judges as possible, insiders revealed.
Harris delayed a planned trip to California and Hawaii to remain available for Senate votes but departed Tuesday with plans to return in December for anticipated confirmation battles. “This is a major focus,” said a senior aide, while another emphasized Harris’s readiness to break ties when necessary.
Schumer has vowed to use the lame-duck session—the period between the election and inauguration—to push through judicial nominees, mirroring Republican efforts in 2020. “We’re going to confirm as many judges as possible despite Republican obstruction,” he stated.
Trump, meanwhile, has urged Republicans to block Democratic efforts. “No more Judges confirmed before Inauguration Day!” he posted on Truth Social, accusing Democrats of stacking courts with “Radical Left Judges.”
With Harris’s tie-breaking vote crucial, December promises a heated showdown over judicial confirmations, underscoring the stakes for Biden’s legacy and Democrats’ judicial agenda.
Also read: Trump Resumes Intelligence Briefings Amid Controversies Over Classified Documents
