Special Poll
After a difficult defeat to Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris is preparing for what could be her last major role in office—potentially stepping in to help Democrats secure critical judicial confirmations before President Joe Biden leaves the White House. As Biden aims to finalize a wave of judicial appointments, Democrats are bracing for tight votes in an effort to surpass Trump’s first-term total of 234 judges confirmed.
Harris, in her capacity as Senate president, has the power to cast tie-breaking votes. Throughout Biden’s term, she has frequently been called upon in this role, setting a record for the most decisive votes by a vice president. This issue has become so pressing that it was reportedly a key topic during her first post-election meeting with Biden, reflecting their shared commitment to advancing these confirmations.
Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, have made it clear they view this as a top priority. Schumer has vowed to use the lame-duck session—the period before the new administration takes office—to confirm as many judges as possible, despite Republican efforts to slow the process. Schumer has been candid about the need to push past GOP obstruction, much like Republicans did in 2020 when they confirmed judges after Trump had already lost the election.
Harris delayed a planned trip to California and Hawaii to ensure she was available for any Senate votes, although her aides confirmed she left on Tuesday with the understanding that votes wouldn’t occur until December. Her team has emphasized her readiness to return to Washington if needed, preparing for what is expected to be a contentious battle over judicial nominees in the final weeks of the session.
Meanwhile, Trump has called on Republicans to block any further judicial confirmations, accusing Democrats of trying to “stack the courts with Radical Left Judges.” However, Republicans lack the power to fully prevent these confirmations, as Democrats need only a simple majority to approve the nominations.
Schumer and Senate Democrats remain determined to confirm as many judges as possible before Republicans take control of Congress in January. On Monday, the Senate stayed in session until nearly midnight to confirm a judge to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, while setting up votes for several more Biden-nominated judges later in the week. If successful, these confirmations would bring Biden’s total to 223 judges—just shy of Trump’s first-term total. While Democrats are optimistic about exceeding Trump’s 234 confirmations, they emphasize that the focus is on appointing qualified judges, not simply outpacing Trump’s record.
Despite the urgency, some Senate vacancies remain unfilled, particularly in red states where Republican senators hold sway over the process. Still, Harris’s role as a potential tie-breaker provides Democrats with a crucial advantage as they work to complete their judicial agenda before ceding power. For Democrats, every vote counts, and Harris’s availability has reassured her colleagues that they are doing everything possible to secure these lifetime appointments.