Return of the Status Quo . . . Almost

Last month, the Senate returned five of the President's judicial nominations to the White House after Democrats refused to give what is normally pro forma consent to hold over the nominations during the Senate's August recess. Today, the President re-nominated the five: Terry Boyle (4th Circuit), Jim Haynes (4th Circuit), William Myers (9th Circuit), Randy Smith (9th Circuit), and Mike Wallace (5th Circuit). Unfortunately, this does not restore the status quo for Boyle, Myers, and Smith. They were awaiting confirmation votes on the Senate floor, following approval by the Judiciary Committee. But now they have to go back to the committee, where Democrats may call for new hearings or otherwise obstruct the nominations.