©2026 League of Conservation Voters
2018
48
46
5
Issues
The Senate considered President Trump’s nomination of Michael Brennan to the Seventh Circuit U.S Court of Appeals. Circuit judges are entrusted with protecting the rights of the American people and interpreting the Constitution while withholding personal ideology. Lower court judges often serve as the ultimate authority on justice in highly significant cases with lasting impacts. Unfortunately, Brennan’s unconventional nomination process does not confirm that he is qualified for this lifetime appointment. President Trump and Chairman Grassley held a hearing for Brennan without receiving blue slips from both home-state senators and ignored the fact that he failed to receive the necessary five votes from Senators Baldwin and Johnson’s bipartisan nominating committee. The a holding of Brennan’s hearing without the return of Senator Baldwin’s blue slip ends a tradition that has long been respected by both parties, and perpetuates a pattern of insufficiently rigorous and transparent nomination processes. On May 10, the Senate confirmed Brennan to the Seventh Circuit U.S Court of Appeals by a vote of 49-46 (Senate roll call vote 89). NO IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE.
©2026 League of Conservation Voters