Since the Republicans picked up 4 seats in the Senate, I suspect that the "balance" on the Judiciary Committee will change. Perhaps we might get another Republican or one less RAT. Maybe they can apply a bit of pressure on old Arlen.
I heard that republicans, with their new senate majority will move to change senate rules on judicial nominees. I'm no expert on these rules, but I think it will change so that you only need a simple majority of votes and not two-thirds(?). The filibusters will stop they say. "They" being the pundits