Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) threatened on Nov. 15 to oppose 53 of President Donald Trump’s judicial nominations unless the Senate votes on a bill to protect the special counsel’s Russia investigation, after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell objected to bringing the bill to the Senate floor.
Flake is part of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which holds confirmation hearings on nominees before the Senate votes on their nomination. While Flake’s vote is pivotal to secure a party-line majority for the Republicans on the committee, McConnell can bring a nomination to the Senate floor regardless of how the committee votes. Flake’s stand could also spell trouble in the Senate, where Republicans hold a slim 51–49 majority.
