Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) does not think that it’s part of the Senate’s job description to confirm President Obama’s judicial nominees.
“What we get are things that have nothing to do with doing our jobs,” he said, according to the Huffington Post. “I’m doing my job today and objecting to these measures so we can actually get back to pressing matters.”
In fact, only the Senate can confirm judicial nominees in order to complete the process of filling court vacancies.
Tillis’ comments came after he repeatedly blocked attempts by Democrats to confirm judicial nominees on Wednesday before the chamber left for a lengthy summer recess. He argued that the Senate should instead be focused on bills to provide Zika funding and approve veterans and defense spending, according to the Greensboro News and Record.
The senators pushing for the Senate to confirm judges were perplexed by Tillis’ argument.
“I’m not sure what version of the Constitution you’re reading that doesn’t say confirming judges is part of your job in the United States Senate,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said, according to the Huffington Post.
Tillis spokesman Daniel Keylin told the Huffington Post that Democrats were “refusing to do their jobs” by bringing up judges rather than focusing on other legislation.
The Senate left for a seven week summer recess on Thursday without approving Zika funding and some spending bills.
