Republicans seek to stymie Biden with final Trump nominees
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/19/senate-gop-trump-nominees-biden-437959
Two months before Joe Biden assumes the presidency, Senate Republicans are racing to install a series of conservative nominees that will outlast Donald Trump.
While Trump still refuses to concede the election, the Senate GOP is moving quickly to ensure that the presidents stamp sticks to the Federal Elections Commission, Federal Reserve Board, the federal judiciary and beyond.
The effort played out in dramatic fashion this week, as Senate Republicans tried to muscle Judy Shelton onto the Fed by the narrowest of margins but fell short amid senators absences from the coronavirus. Theyre also plotting a confirmation vote for Christopher Waller, Trumps less controversial Fed pick.
The last-minute push to confirm Shelton, Waller and others is a key part of the Senate GOPs bid to wield power in the dwindling days of a Republican presidency even if most in the party still wont acknowledge Bidens victory.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnells work on pushing lifetime judicial appointments is well known. But Sheltons term would extend to 2024, Wallers would last until 2030, and the FEC commissioners would stay on past Bidens inauguration, as would potential additions to the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.