July 17, 2026 Update

Competing with an on-again-off-again war in Iran, the nation’s politically charged 250th birthday, a record heat wave, unbreathable air, and an outbreak of an especially gross parasitic illness, the US Senate still managed to steal the spotlight this summer. Former Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has been missing in action since June 14 when he was hospitalized. Then followed weeks of no information or communication, fueling speculation about whether he was still alive. Recently, however, there’s been some news: a “proof of life” photo; reports of phone calls with Republican colleagues; and a statement explaining why he was hospitalized. Add to that on-going drama, the shocking sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on July 11, leaving a brief hole in the Senate Republican line-up until the South Carolina governor appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham, who was sworn in three-days after her brother’s death.

Drama of another sort played out this week at the Senate Judiciary Committee where two days of hearings took place on the confirmation of Todd Blanche to the post of Attorney General. Democrats were vigorous in their questioning of Blanche who currently serves as Acting Attorney General after a long stint as President Trump’s personal lawyer. On July 16, day two, witnesses testified for and against the nominee as two Republican senators, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), suggested that they were not necessarily “yes” votes. Take Action! NCJW opposes the confirmation of Todd Blanche and is calling on senators to reject his nomination. During his time at the Department of Justice, Blanche has demonstrated a troubling commitment to serving his former client, Donald Trump, rather than the American people. Contact your senators and tell them to vote NO on Blanche for Attorney General.

Finally, the Senate’s return from recess meant a return to confirmation votes on judicial nominees: Arthur Jones was confirmed to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas (46-44); Matthew Schwartz to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals (50-45); and Jeffrey Kuntz to the District Court for the Southern District of Florida (51-46). Cloture was filed on Benjamin Flowers to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals with a vote likely early next week.

Meanwhile, federal courts continue to hand down decisions on President Trump’s policies. Here are some highlights:

Federal district court judges in Virginia and New Mexico ruled that those states do not have to hand over their voter rolls to the Department of Justice. Trump-nominated Judge Roderick Young of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia said that the government failed to state a claim for their demand. Similarly Judge Judith Herrera, a George W. Bush nominee to the District Court for the District of New Mexico said that the letter demanding the voting information doesn’t include a basis for the demand.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals handed a win to the Trump administration when it ended federal oversight of a Louisiana school district related to a desegregation mandate that had been in place for six decades. Civil rights groups say that the decision will reverse years of progress in a school district once plagued by Klan violence.
A split decision in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an Illinois ban on AR-15 rifles. Two Trump-nominated judges, Amy St. Eve and Frank Easterbrook, voted to uphold the ban while Judge Michael Brennan, who was nominated by President Ronald Reagan, favored overruling the ban. The Supreme Court has taken a case on this issue for next term.
Another Trump-nominated judge, William Ray in the District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, ruled that the Department of Justice cannot have the names and personal contact information for all the election workers who worked on the 2020 election in Fulton County. The judge found the subpoena to be unreasonable and cited the statute of limitations that had long since expired for any possible crime that might have been committed.

► Senate Judiciary Committee

With Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) seat vacant, the judiciary committee held a mark-up prior to the start of the hearing on Todd Blanche on July 16 and approved the following nominees: Judge Daniel Traynor to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals on a party-line vote of 11-10; Kasdin Mitchell to the District Court for the Northern District of Texas (11-10); Angela Colmenero to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas (11-10); Antonio Pozos to the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (12-9); and Michael Martin to the District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (14-7). On July 23, the committee will vote on the nominations of Judge Daniel Domenico to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and Judge Matthew Byrne to the District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. They are expected to vote on the confirmation of Todd Blanche as Attorney General on July 30.

► ICYMI

(Slate) Two of John Robert’s biggest decisions this term directly contradict each other

(NYTimes) Are we still supposed to take this conservative legal theory seriously?

(Rolling Stone) The abortion pill has never abused women. Men do.

(Huff Po) Action AG Todd Blanche commits to ending abortion pills by mail in hearing

(NPR) Supreme Court justices give chilling accounts of threats to their safety

(PBS) Where trans advocates are focusing efforts after recent court defeats

(ABC) As country turns 250, retired judges hit the road to defend judicial independence

As the summer heat bears down on us, things are heating up on Capitol Hill. We are grateful to have you as partners as we continue to push for fairness and independence from our judges and Justice Department leaders. Thank you.

Stay cool and safe!