GOP Sen. Jeff Flake says he won't back any federal judge nominees until there's a vote on Mueller protection bill
The Senate Judiciary Committee canceled Thursday's vote on more than 20 federal judge nominations Wednesday after Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) reiterated that he won't vote for any judges until Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) holds a vote on legislation to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
The committee has an 11-10 Republican majority, which is not enough to push through nominees without the backing of Flake. When Attorney General Jeff Sessions was ousted earlier this month and replaced with Matt Whitaker, a critic of the Russia investigation, Flake said he would fight for a bill to cover Mueller, and Flake and Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) have since requested multiple times a full Senate vote on legislation that would prevent the executive branch from "inappropriately interfering" with any independent investigation.
McConnell refuses to hold a vote on the Senate floor, saying President Trump won't do anything to end the Mueller investigation and the bill is a "solution in search of a problem." On Wednesday, Flake said the findings of the Mueller probe "are too important for our national security and well-being of democratic institutions to be halted or watered down. Mr. Mueller must be able to preserve the work he has done by completing this very thorough investigation and for his findings to be made public."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
What to know when planning an awe-inspiring hike on the Inca Trail
The Week Recommends Peru's most famous trail leads to Machu Picchu
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Lead poisoning remains a threat
The Explainer The toxin is built into our lives
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Should you use a 529 plan? What to know about this college savings option.
The Explainer This tax-advantaged savings account can be used to pay tuition or buy textbooks
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?
Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress honors real-life Rosie the Riveters
Speed Read These American women reshaped the work force during World War II
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Outgunned Ukraine could fall, US general warns
Speed Read Without more US aid, Ukraine is at risk of losing the war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
House GOP scuttles FISA vote at Trump's urging
Speed Read Right-wing lawmakers blocked Speaker Mike Johnson's surveillance bill
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published