Every Supreme Court Nominee Deserves Timely Consideration Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (16 Mar 2023): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
What this bill does
This bill, titled the "Every Supreme Court Nominee Deserves Timely Consideration Act," proposes to speed up the Senate's process for confirming Supreme Court justices. If a Supreme Court nomination is not reported out of the Judiciary Committee within 60 days of being referred, any Senator can initiate a process to discharge the nomination. After 20 days, if 30 Senators support it, the committee can be discharged, and the nomination will be placed on the Senate calendar for consideration.
The bill would also limit debate on a Supreme Court nomination to a total of 30 hours, divided equally between supporters and opponents. Amendments or motions to postpone consideration would not be allowed. A single motion to extend debate by an additional 30 hours could be made if supported by 30 Senators. Following the conclusion of debate, the vote on the nomination would occur.
This bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Jeff Merkley and was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. It has not received a vote in this or a previous session of Congress. As a proposed change to Senate rules, it would supersede existing rules only if inconsistent and could be altered by the Senate at any time.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Every Supreme Court Nominee Deserves Timely Consideration Act
This bill establishes procedures under Senate rules through which any Senator may expedite the vote on a nominee for the Supreme Court.
Currently, most nominations, including for Supreme Court Justices, must be referred for consideration to the Senate committee with relevant jurisdiction before the nominations receive a vote in the Senate. A committee considering a nomination may (1) report out the nomination favorably, unfavorably, or without recommendation; or (2) choose to take no action. Nominations that are pending when the Senate adjourns at the end of a session or recesses for more than 30 days are typically returned to the President.
Under this bill, if the Judiciary Committee fails to report out a nomination for a Supreme Court Justice within 60 continuous days of session, any Senator may publish a notice of intent to discharge the nomination from the committee in the Congressional Record. Next, if 30 Senators support discharging the nomination within the 20 days following the publication of the notice, the nomination must be placed on the Senate calendar for debate and vote.
The bill limits the duration of the debate and permits Senators to object to the consideration of debatable motions and appeals related to the nomination. The vote on the nomination must be held immediately following the debate.
Timeline
16 Mar 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Common questions
- What does S. 859 do?
- This bill, titled the "Every Supreme Court Nominee Deserves Timely Consideration Act," proposes to speed up the Senate's process for confirming Supreme Court justices. If a Supreme Court nomination is not reported out of the Judiciary Committee within 60 days of being referred, any Senator can initiate a process to discharge the nomination. After 20 days, if 30 Senators support it, the committee can be discharged, and the nomination will be placed on the Senate calendar for consideration. The bill would also limit debate on a Supreme Court nomination to a total of 30 hours, divided equally between supporters and opponents. Amendments or motions to postpone consideration would not be allowed. A single motion to extend debate by an additional 30 hours could be made if supported by 30 Senators. Following the conclusion of debate, the vote on the nomination would occur. This bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Jeff Merkley and was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. It has not received a vote in this or a previous session of Congress. As a proposed change to Senate rules, it would supersede existing rules only if inconsistent and could be altered by the Senate at any time.
- Has S. 859 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 859. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 859?
- S. 859 was sponsored by Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 859?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (16 Mar 2023).
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