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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3705495/posts

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/nov/13/judiciary-committee-continues-processing-donald-tr/

Judiciary Committee continues processing Trump’s judicial picks after midterms

Senators returned to Washington Tuesday and immediately picked up where they left off — processing President Trump’s judicial nominees, over the objections of Democrats.

The Judiciary Committee held a hearing for Paul B. Matey, nominated to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and for four district court picks.

Mr. Matey’s nomination is particularly controversial because it marks another round in the fight over Senate traditions and courtesies and their abuse in the era of Mr. Trump.

Mr. Matey is slated to fill a seat on the appeals court that’s traditionally ascribed to New Jersey. But that state’s senators, both Democrats, object to the president’s pick, and have withheld their “blue slips” to signify their opposition.

“To say that my objections to this judge is just because they’re conservative is just not fair,” Sen. Cory Booker said, arguing he wasn’t properly consulted on Mr. Matey’s nomination. “Nobody has asked me what my objections might be.”

Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley, Iowa Republican, countered that the White House reached out numerous times.

“It’s clear the White House adequately consulted with the New Jersey senators regarding Mr. Matey’s nomination. The White House first reached out to the New Jersey senators in April 2017,” Mr. Grassley said.

Mr. Grassley repeated his view that blue slips are about making sure consultation happens, and don’t carry veto power in his committee.