Former President Barack Obama, at a fundraiser Wednesday night, stressed the importance of maintaining a Democratic majority in the Senate and underscored the Senate’s unique authority to confirm judges nominated by the president.
“The ability to appoint judges has never been more important than it is today,” he said during the event in Potomac, Maryland.
“On the legislative side, there were some notable accomplishments that were only possible because of the very narrow margin of victory,” he continued, according to a partial transcript released by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC).
McConnell criticizes ‘isolationist’ colleague in scathing essay about D-Day
President Obama stressed the importance of maintaining a majority in the Senate. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
His remarks at a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee fundraiser came as former Vice President Biden reached the milestone of formally confirming 200 judges during his term, putting him ahead of former President Donald Trump, who was also praised by Republicans for his own swift confirmation of judges.
Democrats currently hold a majority in the Senate, but face significant disadvantages in the 2024 electoral map, with several weak incumbents in hotly contested races. Democrats have also suffered the departures of Senators Joe Manchin (Iowa, Virginia) and Kyrsten Sinema (Iowa, Arizona), who both retired and became independents during their tenure. With Senator Manchin’s departure, Republicans are expected to gain a seat in the Senate, but the Arizona election is seen as a deadlock.
‘Misleading’ Democratic contraception bill fails in key vote as Republicans slam sweeping proposal
Biden confirmed 200 judges last month. (iStock)
With three Democratic incumbents locked in reelection races, independent political handicappers Cook Political Report While nearly all Republican reelection races are considered relatively safe, both candidates are considered to be in a “close race.”
The emphasis on appointment of judges also coincides with calls for the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Biden to appoint her successor. Trump, in particular, was successful in confirming three Supreme Court justices who led to landmark decisions such as Dobbs v. Jackson, which overturned Roe v. Wade.
Jon Tester’s campaign acknowledges ‘hard truths’ Senate race will be expensive and close
Sotomayor is facing pressure to retire. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Outside the Supreme Court, Trump has been successful in appointing roughly the same number of appeals court judges as Obama did, in half the time. If he wins the presidential election in November, Trump is expected to bring a similar urgency to judicial appointments in a second term, aided in large part by Republican control of the Senate.
President Obama told attendees on Wednesday that maintaining Democrats’ majority in the House of Representatives will require “a lot of effort” and “a lot of organizing.”
‘Parental rights’: Republicans warn Democrats’ Senate bill goes beyond birth control
Larry Hogan is a very popular Republican in a Democratic-leaning state. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/Photo by Andrew Harnick/Getty Images)
Click here to get the FOX News app
The fundraiser took place in Maryland, where Democratic Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks faces an unexpected obstacle in Republican candidate Larry Hogan, a former two-term governor. The state has long been considered a likely Democratic winner, but Hogan’s entry into the race prompted the Cook Political Report to change its rating to “Democrat-leaning,” acknowledging his gubernatorial record. His candidacy has also sparked speculation that Democrats could win a seat in Democratic-leaning Maryland.
A spokesman for President Obama declined to provide additional comment to Fox News Digital.
Get the latest 2024 campaign updates, exclusive interviews and more on Fox News Digital’s Election Hub.
