The move to shorten debate on such nominees from 30 hours to two hours was resisted by Democrats but they could not block it because Republicans hold 53 seats in the 100-seat chamber. Senator Mitch McConnell used his powers as majority leader to make the change, which will set a precedent that will apply to district court judges, the lowest rung of the judiciary, but not vacancies in the Supreme Court and federal appeals courts. The Senate has historically provided greater protection for whichever party is in the minority than the 435-seat House of Representatives by allowing longer debating time before votes and requiring 60 yes votes for most approvals.
