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michaelflutist's avatar

I thought they were all filled, but I don't know.

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ArcticStones's avatar

Filled, yes – but I thought some were serving past their time. Perhaps I remember wrong.

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JanusIanitos's avatar

There are two vacancies on the USPS board of governors and one appointee, Anton Hajjar, serving past his term's expiration.

Both vacant seats have a nomination from Biden. One republican nominee and one democratic nominee — this isn't the craziness it sounds like at first, as the USPS board of governors is legally required to have no more than half+1 seats held by a single party.

The democratic nominee for a seat is Marty Walsh, former mayor of Boston and Secretary of Labor. He was nominated in February of this year... still no confirmation vote scheduled as best as I can tell.

For the republican vacant seat, Biden has renominated the former holder, but I don't know the dates for that.

Schumer is dropping the ball on this one.

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ArcticStones's avatar

Thank you for clarifying. Schumer is also dropping the ball on judicial confirmations.

As of September 12, there are 66 vacancies, 44 of which are current. There are now 32 pending nominees: 17 waiting for floor votes, 6 waiting to be reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and 9 waiting for hearings before the Committee.

Let me repeat that: 17 judicial nominees are just awaiting floor votes. Schumer ought to expedite those by filing far more clotures. There is no reason why each vote needs to take an hour or more; and there is no reason why Schumer can’t have the Senate putting in longer hours, working extra days, or forcing the Senate to stay in session for at least one week of the planned month-long October break.

The Senate confirmed only four judges this week. It’s irresponsible to assume Democrats will hold the Senate, leaving judgeships empty – at least judgeships not impacted by GOP senators withholding Blue Slips (which is a separate and contentious issue).

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Jonathan's avatar

Other than the budget deal looming; Congress is basically shuttered; not saying this is good or bad

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michaelflutist's avatar

The Senate is responsible for confirmations by itself, so it doesn't have the dysfunction of the House as an excuse. If the election are fucked up because Schumer is spending more time begging constituents like me for money every day than making sure the mails run right...

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Jonathan's avatar

Agreed; possibly Tester and Brown don't want any votes or as few as possible(pure speculation on my part)

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michaelflutist's avatar

That's possible, but better that they will both win and the Democrats will have another chance next year is malpractice.

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ArcticStones's avatar

Here is a timely article by former Senator Russ Feingold, President of the American Constitution Society (ACS).

"Senate Should Continue to Confirm Judges to Prevent September Slippage"

https://www.acslaw.org/inbrief/senate-should-continue-to-confirm-judges-to-prevent-september-slippage/

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Mike in MD's avatar

So Feingold wants the Senate to get aggressive on judicial confirmations. Well, if not for his "I'm too good to go negative on my opponent or accept dirty PAC money" schtick, then they might have one more vote to do so...

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ArcticStones's avatar

I wish I knew more of the story of Russ Feingold’s campaign(s). Tragic that Ron Johnson was elected and re-elected. Imho, he’s one of the worst. Mandela Barnes came within a percentage point of unseating him; I really thought and hoped he would succeed.

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