Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said Wednesday the Senate could confirm a replacement for Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh’s old seat on the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. by the end of the year.
The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia is seen as the second highest court in the country, since many of the federal government’s legal challenges make their way through the docket.
“If we received it right now, the answer is yes, but just before Christmas. So it kind of depends upon how long we’ll be in session,” Mr. Grassley, Iowa Republican, told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on Wednesday.
The White House has not yet sent over a nominee to the Judiciary Committee to replace the seat left vacant following Justice Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
Sen. John Kennedy, Louisiana Republican, said he has a feeling the White House will be sending over a name soon.
Meanwhile, Sen. Chris Coons, Delaware Democrat, laughed at the notion the GOP would push through a replacement for Justice Kavanaugh’s old seat so quickly.
“That is the first I have heard of it. That would strike me as an ambitious schedule,” he said.
Currently there are seven Democratic appointed active judges on the D.C. Circuit, while there are only three GOP appointed jurists. Just one, Judge Greg Katsas, was appointed by President Trump.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.
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