COURTS/NOMINATIONS/SENATE/TRUMP PEOPLE: “The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday [11-7-19] voted to advance President Donald Trump’s court pick to the powerful 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals — setting up a contentious vote when he reaches the full chamber. Steven Menashi, an associate counsel to the president, faced backlash from Democrats and Republicans during his September confirmation hearing for declining to answer questions about his work for the White House or for the Department of Education, where he was a lawyer. And Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said in October she’d oppose Menashi, saying in a statement it was ‘inappropriate’ for the nominee to refuse to answer senators’ questions and that his ‘past writings, particularly about women, LGBTQ advocates, and diversity, raise questions about whether he has the appropriate judicial temperament.’”
–Marianne Levine, “Senate Judiciary Committee advances controversial Trump pick,” Politico, November 7, 2019 12:39 pm