Biden Cabinet Confirmation Live Thread ***hearings, votes, etc.***

[politicallefty]

What I am referring to by skipped over is the fact that Ho was nominated in September 2021 while Clarke wasn't nominated until December 2021.

The only difference between 50-50 and 50-49 is Harris doesn't have to be there 100%. It still means Schumer needs every last member of his caucus or 49 + the 50th just being absent + Harris.

I don't have a firm statistic Re: Kennedy but for a similar example, he voted for Robert Huie (SD CA) in Committee but opposed him on the floor.

It's true that 50-49 is functionally the same, but it does allow for some wiggle room.

Based solely on nominations pending Senate action, Biden is on track to match or exceed what the Trump-McConnell judiciary machine did in his first two years. I'm not really concerned about the district court nominees, as those can be taken care of in a matter of days due to the 2-hour cloture rule. I'm more concerned about the circuit court nominations. Those are far more important and require 30 hours of debate. There are seven currently awaiting a confirmation vote (eight if you include Nancy Abudu, who just needs a discharge vote). If Biden can get 30 circuit court nominations confirmed in his first two years, that would be a pretty significant victory. I certainly hope that number will be higher with additional nominations. I do imagine the lame duck session will largely depend on what happens on Election Day. If Democrats hold the the Senate, I don't imagine a mass rush of confirmation votes. If Democrats lose the Senate, I have to imagine quite the opposite. But, as I said, it takes a lot more time to move circuit court nominations through.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

D's aren't losing the Senate NV, NH, AZ and GA the most extremes Rs want to overturn abortion in those states

The Rs thought they were gonna sweep NH but post Roe no they're not Papas as Kuster and Hassan are safe

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1546585280265715716
https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1546585471647715331
https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1546585751579680768

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Vazirani (Deputy Under Secretary of Defense) passes CLOTURE 67-20:

NAYs ---20
Blackburn (R-TN)
Boozman (R-AR)
Braun (R-IN)
Cotton (R-AR)
Cruz (R-TX)
Daines (R-MT)
Ernst (R-IA)
Hagerty (R-TN)
Hawley (R-MO)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Johnson (R-WI)
Lankford (R-OK)
Lee (R-UT)
Marshall (R-KS)
Paul (R-KY)
Rubio (R-FL)
Scott (R-FL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Thune (R-SD)
Tuberville (R-AL)

Not Voting - 13
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cramer (R-ND)
Kennedy (R-LA)
Leahy (D-VT)
Lujan (D-NM)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Ossoff (D-GA)
Risch (R-ID)
Sasse (R-NE)
Schumer (D-NY)
Sinema (D-AZ)
Whitehouse (D-RI)

[Blue3]

Why is this thread still pinned to the top of this forum?

[NewYorkExpress]

https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1546585280265715716
https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1546585471647715331
https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1546585751579680768

I understand Schumer's up for reelection, but come on. He's facing no primary opponent, and I'm pretty sure Joe Pinion is not a serious candidate in the general election. He doesn't need to campaign, and can be present at the Senate pretty much every day.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1546585280265715716
https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1546585471647715331
https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1546585751579680768

I understand Schumer's up for reelection, but come on. He's facing no primary opponent, and I'm pretty sure Joe Pinion is not a serious candidate in the general election. He doesn't need to campaign, and can be present at the Senate pretty much every day.

Schumer has covid, show some respect.

[NewYorkExpress]

https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1546585280265715716
https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1546585471647715331
https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1546585751579680768

I understand Schumer's up for reelection, but come on. He's facing no primary opponent, and I'm pretty sure Joe Pinion is not a serious candidate in the general election. He doesn't need to campaign, and can be present at the Senate pretty much every day.

Schumer has covid, show some respect.

He does? Where was that announced? I would have thought that would be front-page news in quite a few newspapers.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1546585280265715716
https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1546585471647715331
https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1546585751579680768

I understand Schumer's up for reelection, but come on. He's facing no primary opponent, and I'm pretty sure Joe Pinion is not a serious candidate in the general election. He doesn't need to campaign, and can be present at the Senate pretty much every day.

Schumer has covid, show some respect.

He does? Where was that announced? I would have thought that would be front-page news in quite a few newspapers.

http://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/07/10/politics/chuck-schumer-has-covid/index.html&ved=2ahUKEwifoa3Px_P4AhVPjYkEHbV7C-EQFnoECCYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0fCbng63sn5a0sYpzeJ3bM

[politicallefty]

And don't forget Leahy is still out in rehab for his hip surgery.

It also looks like we're finally getting an ATF Director. I'm assuming Portman's support is due to the fact that he's from Ohio?

We're also going to finally find out how much bipartisan support there is for Michelle Childs.

Why is this thread still pinned to the top of this forum?

This topic sort of evolved into a catch-all for all presidential nominations.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Vazirani confirmed 73-21:

NAYs ---21
Blackburn (R-TN)
Boozman (R-AR)
Braun (R-IN)
Cotton (R-AR)
Cruz (R-TX)
Daines (R-MT)
Ernst (R-IA)
Hagerty (R-TN)
Hawley (R-MO)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Johnson (R-WI)
Kennedy (R-LA)
Lankford (R-OK)
Lee (R-UT)
Marshall (R-KS)
Paul (R-KY)
Rubio (R-FL)
Scott (R-FL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Thune (R-SD)
Tuberville (R-AL)

Not Voting - 6
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Leahy (D-VT)
Lujan (D-NM)
Risch (R-ID)
Sasse (R-NE)
Schumer (D-NY)

Dettlebach (ATF) passes CLOTURE 48-46:

NAYs ---46
Barrasso (R-WY)
Blackburn (R-TN)
Blunt (R-MO)
Boozman (R-AR)
Braun (R-IN)
Burr (R-NC)
Capito (R-WV)
Cassidy (R-LA)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Cotton (R-AR)
Cramer (R-ND)
Crapo (R-ID)
Cruz (R-TX)
Daines (R-MT)
Ernst (R-IA)
Fischer (R-NE)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Hagerty (R-TN)
Hawley (R-MO)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Johnson (R-WI)
Kennedy (R-LA)
Lankford (R-OK)
Lee (R-UT)
Lummis (R-WY)
Marshall (R-KS)
McConnell (R-KY)
Moran (R-KS)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Paul (R-KY)
Romney (R-UT)
Rounds (R-SD)
Rubio (R-FL)
Scott (R-FL)
Scott (R-SC)
Shelby (R-AL)
Sullivan (R-AK)
Thune (R-SD)
Tillis (R-NC)
Toomey (R-PA)
Tuberville (R-AL)
Wicker (R-MS)
Young (R-IN)

Not Voting - 6
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Leahy (D-VT)
Lujan (D-NM)
Risch (R-ID)
Sasse (R-NE)
Schumer (D-NY)

Dettlebach confirmed by the same vote.

Barr (Federal Reserve, Cal. #975) passes CLOTURE 66-27:

NAYs ---27
Blackburn (R-TN)
Boozman (R-AR)
Braun (R-IN)
Burr (R-NC)
Cotton (R-AR)
Cramer (R-ND)
Crapo (R-ID)
Cruz (R-TX)
Daines (R-MT)
Fischer (R-NE)
Hagerty (R-TN)
Hawley (R-MO)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
Johnson (R-WI)
Kennedy (R-LA)
Lankford (R-OK)
Lee (R-UT)
Marshall (R-KS)
Paul (R-KY)
Rubio (R-FL)
Scott (R-FL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Sullivan (R-AK)
Thune (R-SD)
Tillis (R-NC)
Tuberville (R-AL)

Not Voting - 7
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Leahy (D-VT)
Lujan (D-NM)
Moran (R-KS)
Risch (R-ID)
Sasse (R-NE)
Schumer (D-NY)

[Progressive Pessimist]

https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1546585280265715716
https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1546585471647715331
https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1546585751579680768

I understand Schumer's up for reelection, but come on. He's facing no primary opponent, and I'm pretty sure Joe Pinion is not a serious candidate in the general election. He doesn't need to campaign, and can be present at the Senate pretty much every day.

Schumer has covid, show some respect.

He does? Where was that announced? I would have thought that would be front-page news in quite a few newspapers.

It is a pretty big deal since he's supposed be engaging in negotiations with Manchin to pass something BBB-related before the recess.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Barr confirmed 66-28:

NAYs ---28
Blackburn (R-TN)
Boozman (R-AR)
Braun (R-IN)
Burr (R-NC)
Cotton (R-AR)
Cramer (R-ND)
Crapo (R-ID)
Cruz (R-TX)
Daines (R-MT)
Fischer (R-NE)
Hagerty (R-TN)
Hawley (R-MO)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
Johnson (R-WI)
Kennedy (R-LA)
Lankford (R-OK)
Lee (R-UT)
Marshall (R-KS)
Paul (R-KY)
Risch (R-ID)
Rubio (R-FL)
Sasse (R-NE)
Scott (R-FL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Thune (R-SD)
Tillis (R-NC)
Tuberville (R-AL)

Not Voting - 6
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Leahy (D-VT)
Lujan (D-NM)
Moran (R-KS)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)

Barr (Federal Reserve, Cal. #976) passes CLOTURE by the same vote, and confirmed by the same vote.


Hernstadt (Export-Import Bank) passes CLOTURE 51-44:

NAYs ---44
Barrasso (R-WY)
Blackburn (R-TN)
Blunt (R-MO)
Boozman (R-AR)
Braun (R-IN)
Burr (R-NC)
Capito (R-WV)
Cassidy (R-LA)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Cotton (R-AR)
Crapo (R-ID)
Cruz (R-TX)
Daines (R-MT)
Ernst (R-IA)
Fischer (R-NE)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Hagerty (R-TN)
Hawley (R-MO)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Johnson (R-WI)
Kennedy (R-LA)
Lankford (R-OK)
Lee (R-UT)
Lummis (R-WY)
Marshall (R-KS)
McConnell (R-KY)
Paul (R-KY)
Portman (R-OH)
Risch (R-ID)
Rounds (R-SD)
Rubio (R-FL)
Sasse (R-NE)
Scott (R-FL)
Scott (R-SC)
Shelby (R-AL)
Sullivan (R-AK)
Thune (R-SD)
Toomey (R-PA)
Tuberville (R-AL)
Wicker (R-MS)
Young (R-IN)

Not Voting - 5
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Leahy (D-VT)
Lujan (D-NM)
Moran (R-KS)
Schumer (D-NY)

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Hernstadt confirmed by the same vote.

Heinzelman (CIA General Counsel) passes CLOTURE 51-42:

NAYs ---42
Barrasso (R-WY)
Blackburn (R-TN)
Boozman (R-AR)
Braun (R-IN)
Capito (R-WV)
Cassidy (R-LA)
Cotton (R-AR)
Crapo (R-ID)
Cruz (R-TX)
Daines (R-MT)
Ernst (R-IA)
Fischer (R-NE)
Grassley (R-IA)
Hagerty (R-TN)
Hawley (R-MO)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Johnson (R-WI)
Kennedy (R-LA)
Lankford (R-OK)
Lee (R-UT)
Lummis (R-WY)
Marshall (R-KS)
McConnell (R-KY)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Paul (R-KY)
Portman (R-OH)
Risch (R-ID)
Romney (R-UT)
Rounds (R-SD)
Rubio (R-FL)
Sasse (R-NE)
Scott (R-FL)
Scott (R-SC)
Shelby (R-AL)
Sullivan (R-AK)
Thune (R-SD)
Toomey (R-PA)
Tuberville (R-AL)
Wicker (R-MS)
Young (R-IN)

Not Voting - 7
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Cramer (R-ND)
Leahy (D-VT)
Lujan (D-NM)
Moran (R-KS)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Heinzelman confirmed 50-41:

NAYs ---41
Barrasso (R-WY)
Blackburn (R-TN)
Boozman (R-AR)
Braun (R-IN)
Capito (R-WV)
Cassidy (R-LA)
Cotton (R-AR)
Crapo (R-ID)
Cruz (R-TX)
Daines (R-MT)
Ernst (R-IA)
Fischer (R-NE)
Grassley (R-IA)
Hawley (R-MO)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Johnson (R-WI)
Kennedy (R-LA)
Lankford (R-OK)
Lee (R-UT)
Lummis (R-WY)
Marshall (R-KS)
McConnell (R-KY)
Moran (R-KS)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Paul (R-KY)
Portman (R-OH)
Risch (R-ID)
Romney (R-UT)
Rounds (R-SD)
Rubio (R-FL)
Scott (R-FL)
Scott (R-SC)
Shelby (R-AL)
Sullivan (R-AK)
Thune (R-SD)
Toomey (R-PA)
Tuberville (R-AL)
Wicker (R-MS)
Young (R-IN)

Not Voting - 9
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Cramer (R-ND)
Hagerty (R-TN)
Leahy (D-VT)
Lujan (D-NM)
Markey (D-MA)
Sanders (I-VT)
Sasse (R-NE)
Schumer (D-NY)

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1547637965311991811
https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1547638076343590917

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #924 Alexander Mark Laskaris, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Chad

Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #979 Margaret C. Whitman to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Kenya

Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #982 Michael J. Adler, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of South Sudan

Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #983 John T. Godfrey, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of the Sudan.

Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #987 Stephen Henley Locher to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa.

Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #1039 Michael Cottman Morgan to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Childs (DC Circuit) passes CLOTURE 58-33:

NAYs ---33
Barrasso (R-WY)
Blunt (R-MO)
Boozman (R-AR)
Braun (R-IN)
Cassidy (R-LA)
Cotton (R-AR)
Crapo (R-ID)
Cruz (R-TX)
Daines (R-MT)
Ernst (R-IA)
Fischer (R-NE)
Hawley (R-MO)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Johnson (R-WI)
Kennedy (R-LA)
Lankford (R-OK)
Lee (R-UT)
Lummis (R-WY)
Marshall (R-KS)
McConnell (R-KY)
Moran (R-KS)
Paul (R-KY)
Risch (R-ID)
Rubio (R-FL)
Scott (R-FL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Sullivan (R-AK)
Thune (R-SD)
Toomey (R-PA)
Tuberville (R-AL)
Wicker (R-MS)

Not Voting - 9
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Cramer (R-ND)
Hagerty (R-TN)
Leahy (D-VT)
Lujan (D-NM)
Markey (D-MA)
Portman (R-OH)
Sasse (R-NE)
Schumer (D-NY)


So looks like if there was full attendance it would have been 64-36 (putting the absent Ds+Portman in the yes category).

[NewYorkExpress]

Childs (DC Circuit) passes CLOTURE 58-33:

NAYs ---33
Barrasso (R-WY)
Blunt (R-MO)
Boozman (R-AR)
Braun (R-IN)
Cassidy (R-LA)
Cotton (R-AR)
Crapo (R-ID)
Cruz (R-TX)
Daines (R-MT)
Ernst (R-IA)
Fischer (R-NE)
Hawley (R-MO)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Johnson (R-WI)
Kennedy (R-LA)
Lankford (R-OK)
Lee (R-UT)
Lummis (R-WY)
Marshall (R-KS)
McConnell (R-KY)
Moran (R-KS)
Paul (R-KY)
Risch (R-ID)
Rubio (R-FL)
Scott (R-FL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Sullivan (R-AK)
Thune (R-SD)
Toomey (R-PA)
Tuberville (R-AL)
Wicker (R-MS)

Not Voting - 9
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Cramer (R-ND)
Hagerty (R-TN)
Leahy (D-VT)
Lujan (D-NM)
Markey (D-MA)
Portman (R-OH)
Sasse (R-NE)
Schumer (D-NY)


So looks like if there was full attendance it would have been 64-36 (putting the absent Ds+Portman in the yes category).

I'd say 63-37 if all Senators were present. I don't think Portman would be a yes vote for Childs.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Childs (DC Circuit) passes CLOTURE 58-33:

NAYs ---33
Barrasso (R-WY)
Blunt (R-MO)
Boozman (R-AR)
Braun (R-IN)
Cassidy (R-LA)
Cotton (R-AR)
Crapo (R-ID)
Cruz (R-TX)
Daines (R-MT)
Ernst (R-IA)
Fischer (R-NE)
Hawley (R-MO)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Johnson (R-WI)
Kennedy (R-LA)
Lankford (R-OK)
Lee (R-UT)
Lummis (R-WY)
Marshall (R-KS)
McConnell (R-KY)
Moran (R-KS)
Paul (R-KY)
Risch (R-ID)
Rubio (R-FL)
Scott (R-FL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Sullivan (R-AK)
Thune (R-SD)
Toomey (R-PA)
Tuberville (R-AL)
Wicker (R-MS)

Not Voting - 9
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Cramer (R-ND)
Hagerty (R-TN)
Leahy (D-VT)
Lujan (D-NM)
Markey (D-MA)
Portman (R-OH)
Sasse (R-NE)
Schumer (D-NY)


So looks like if there was full attendance it would have been 64-36 (putting the absent Ds+Portman in the yes category).

I'd say 63-37 if all Senators were present. I don't think Portman would be a yes vote for Childs.

He's one of the few GOP senators who has approved of Biden nominees to their states, so I gave him the benefit of the doubt.

[politicallefty]

It's definitely more than I expected. Even though she voted Aye in committee, I'm really surprised Blackburn is sticking with that position on the floor.

And what's up with this?:

Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #987 Stephen Henley Locher to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa.

That's the first voice vote confirmation for a Biden judicial nominee.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

It's definitely more than I expected. Even though she voted Aye in committee, I'm really surprised Blackburn is sticking with that position on the floor.

And what's up with this?:

Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #987 Stephen Henley Locher to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa.

That's the first voice vote confirmation for a Biden judicial nominee.

Because it's Iowa, Grassley and Ernst signed off on the guy, so no one really opposes him.

[politicallefty]

It's definitely more than I expected. Even though she voted Aye in committee, I'm really surprised Blackburn is sticking with that position on the floor.

And what's up with this?:

Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #987 Stephen Henley Locher to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa.

That's the first voice vote confirmation for a Biden judicial nominee.

Because it's Iowa, Grassley and Ernst signed off on the guy, so no one really opposes him.

Actually, I didn't realize that this was the first judicial nominee to be confirmed from a state with two Republican Senators (even more relevant that this was a district court nomination, where blue slips still apply). In fact, the only state with even one Republican Senator that has had judges confirmed is Ohio, where Portman apparently consented to three district court judges. In terms of nominees though, Toomey apparently just gave his seal of approval to four district court judges in Pennsylvania (though they await hearings).

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

It's definitely more than I expected. Even though she voted Aye in committee, I'm really surprised Blackburn is sticking with that position on the floor.

And what's up with this?:

Confirmed by voice vote: Executive Calendar #987 Stephen Henley Locher to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa.

That's the first voice vote confirmation for a Biden judicial nominee.

Because it's Iowa, Grassley and Ernst signed off on the guy, so no one really opposes him.

Actually, I didn't realize that this was the first judicial nominee to be confirmed from a state with two Republican Senators (even more relevant that this was a district court nomination, where blue slips still apply). In fact, the only state with even one Republican Senator that has had judges confirmed is Ohio, where Portman apparently consented to three district court judges. In terms of nominees though, Toomey apparently just gave his seal of approval to four district court judges in Pennsylvania (though they await hearings).

Portman also has returned a blue slip for Bloomekatz to the 6th Cir, Young and Braun turned in their blue slips for Doris Pryor to the 7th, so did Toomey for Cindy Chung for the 3rd, and Kennedy for Dana Douglas to the 5th.

[politicallefty]

Portman also has returned a blue slip for Bloomekatz to the 6th Cir, Young and Braun turned in their blue slips for Doris Pryor to the 7th, so did Toomey for Cindy Chung for the 3rd, and Kennedy for Dana Douglas to the 5th.

That's certainly good news, although circuit court blue slips aren't necessary like they are for district court nominations. I did read about the Pryor nomination having support from both IN Senators. I wasn't aware of the others though. Bloomekatz is a big one though, because I could easily see her getting top tier consideration for a seat on SCOTUS.

I'm still wondering about the KS seat on the 10th Circuit (I don't expect cooperation there) and the SC seat on the 4th Circuit (apart from KBJ, Graham has been quite fair and reasonable). There's also an impending vacancy for a TX seat on the 5th. It's possible to work with Cornyn, but Cruz is impossible.