President George W. Bush at least sent a nominee to Congress, but a vote on his candidate, Michael Sullivan, was reportedly blocked by then-Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho), an NRA Board Member who apparently took issue with ATF's treatment of gun dealers during Sullivan's term as Acting ATF Director.
One Democratic Senate aide said that a "subtle distinction but an important distinction" existed between a guarantee that the Judiciary Committee would send a Supreme Court nominee to the full Senate and an informal tradition of doing so.
"It's up to Mitch McConnell and everyone else to stop it," Trump said, referring to President Obama's earlier statement that he will send a Supreme Court nominee to the Senate.
"I support Democrats, and I want to help elect Democratic senators, especially after this latest behavior by the Republicans in the Senate to deny the president the right to send a Supreme Court nominee to the Senate -- that has just gone way too far," she said.
"So the American people have spoken and President Trump will send us a nominee, I assume, early next year".
"It's really frustrating to me that this administration continues to not vet or sloppily send over a nominee that leaves us having to really vet them and look at serious questions," committee member Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash).
But some Republicans urged Mr Bush to continue fighting for him rather than appoint the former state department official on his own for fear of sending a weakened nominee to the UN.
To nominate a company, charity, or individual, send a short statement about the nominee and evidence of the impact they have made on diversity and inclusion in their field.
Republicans who oppose him may be trying to send a message that even moderate nominees will have a rough time so the White House should steer clear of more controversial choices.
Liberal groups and leading Senate Democrats are pushing for additional time to lobby to hold down the votes in support of Judge Alito, hoping to send a tough message about future nominees.
