GOP Judicial Nominations Race Clock Amid Campaign, Virus Demands

An agenda disrupted by the coronavirus and squeezed by the election calendar pose new obstacles for Republicans in their drive to confirm dozens of judges to federal courts.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s motto is “leave no vacancy behind,” but the list of nominees idling outside the floor or awaiting action by the Senate Judiciary Committee or yet to sit for a confirmation hearing is getting longer. The last confirmation was nearly three months ago.

President Donald Trump has selected nominees for just over half of the 78 current or future federal district court and two appellate vacancies, according to ...