The New De-facto Judiciary Committee

The so called Senate moderates, 7 from each party, joined in a radical political power play to form their own de-facto Judiciary committee. While the Republicans had the Judiciary Committee majority with Senator Spector the chairman, the new group of 14 will have the power to pick what judges get sent to the whole Senate to be confirmed. The Judiciary committee was the most powerful of all Senate committees because of it's power in the Judicial confirmation process. It is unknown what Senator Spector thinks about his loss of power as well as the other Senators that were on the committee but they can't be pleased. Senators wait years for the covered seats and the prestige it brings. The Judiciary Committee always decided what Judges are sent to the Senate for confirmation votes after hearing that could last many days. The Democrats used a filibuster to stop a vote on President Bush's nominees even though they were approved by the Judiciary Committee. The unprecedented filibuster by Democrats already vetoed the Committee approval. The Republicans have the majority to force a vote on all judges that pass the committee by declaring the Constitution requires a vote. The Constitution requires consultation which is viewed as requiring a vote on the President's judicial nominees.