Coronavirus Is Causing Devastation, But Judicial Appointments To Top McConnell's Agenda

Next week, the Senate will be reconvening and although the ongoing coronavirus crisis — and the massive economic impact its had on millions of Americans — might be expected to be at the top of the agenda, that won’t be the case. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has made it clear that his main agenda will be to continue to appoint federal judges.

In a recent interview with Hugh Hewitt, a conservative radio host, McConnell explained how he’d be setting the Senate’s priorities. “My motto for the year is ‘leave no vacancy behind.’ That hasn’t changed. The pandemic will not prevent us from achieving that goal,” McConnell said.

McConnell has faced sharp criticism for his decision to bring the Senate back to Washington. As one Democratic Senate aide told NBC News, “It’s a dangerous move that achieves nothing. It would be one thing if this were necessary to addressing the [coronavirus] crisis and help people, but it’s not about that.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has sent a letter to McConnell formally opposing the decision to open the Senate next week, insisting that this should only be done if work related to addressing the pandemic is the top priority.

While there has been a great deal of discussion over the possibility of Congress authorizing a second round of stimulus checks for Americans, McConnell had indicated that he has little interest in pursuing another coronavirus relief bill at this time.

Among those at the top of McConnell’s judge appointee list is Kentucky U.S. District Judge Justin Walker. McConnell plans to have him fill a vacant seat on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Walker is a controversial figure, though, having previously served as a clerk for both Anthony Kennedy while he served on the U.S. Supreme Court and for Brett Kavanaugh during his time as a circuit appeals judge. Walker was a staunch defender of Kavanaugh through his Supreme Court confirmation process, during which Kavanaugh faced accusations of sexual misconduct.

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, McConnell’s primary agenda for the Senate had been to fill vacant court seats with as many conservative judges as quickly as possible. Just ahead of the impending impeachment trial of President Donald Trump in the Senate, McConnell managed to push through dozens of judicial appointments.

That McConnell continues to make this his top priority on the Hill despite the pandemic and an economic recession could be seen as an indication that the Republican lawmaker is uncertain about November — when Trump’s reelection victory is far from secure. For many Republicans, including McConnell, their fate is tied to the president’s — and could very well mean the end of a Republican majority in the Senate.