MEMPHIS, Tenn. — If you want clear evidence of the political divide in Congress, look no further than the confirmation process for federal judges. In a perfect world, politics would not matter in selecting judges who are sworn the follow the law – not Democrats or Republicans. But as everyone knows, the U.S. House and Senate are far from perfect, and political egos get in the way of doing the public’s business.
Case in point is the process to confirm Memphis attorney Andre Mathis to a seat on the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mathis would be the first African American man from Tennessee ever to serve on the Sixth Circuit Court. And independent observers say he is highly qualified for the seat. But because Democratic President Joe Biden made the nomination without input from Tennessee’s Republican senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, Blackburn especially is doing her best to make the process a nightmare for Mathis.
The Senate judiciary committee Thursday advanced Mathis’ nomination to the full senate by a narrow vote of 12 to 10. Republicans on the committee, including Blackburn, who voted no, are complaining about Biden’s failure to consult the Republican senators – despite the fact that when Donald Trump was president, no Democrats were consulted on judicial appointments.
The partisan squabbling over judges merely underscores just how hopelessly divided our federal lawmakers are. It’s no wonder most Americans are fed up with them all.