New Health Absences Complicate Senate Judiciary Democratic Edge

The Senate Judiciary Committee’s Democratic-majority is disrupted once again by the frequent health issues of lawmakers that complicate votes on judicial nominees.

Democrats would’ve regained full strength on Oct. 23 following Chair Dick Durbin’s (D-Ill.) return from a knee-replacement and newly appointed Sen. Laphonza Butler’s (D-Calif.) debut at the Capitol after isolating with Covid.

But Sen. Alex Padilla’s (D-Calif.) own Covid diagnosis this week leaves the panel with 10 members for Democrats and Republicans, respectively. Nominees can’t advance on tie votes should a tally fall along party lines.

The committee is set to vote on six district court nominees on ...