In 2011, the Senate Judiciary Committee considered Patty Shwartz, from New Jersey, for a judicial position on the Third Circuit. New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez had the chance to express his approval or disapproval of her nomination. This procedural tool is known as "senatorial courtesy."
Social Studies · High School · Tue Nov 03 2020
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The procedural tool you are referring to is called the "senatorial courtesy." Senatorial courtesy is a long-standing tradition in the United States Senate, particularly in the appointment of federal judges. It allows senators from the president's party to exercise significant influence over the selection of federal judges in their home state. In this context, a senator from the same state as the nominee, in this case, Senator Robert Menendez from New Jersey, is given the opportunity to express approval or disapproval of the nomination. This tradition reflects a level of deference to the senators from the nominee's home state in the confirmation process.