Six months is sufficient time for senators to hold hearings, interest groups to register their preferences, and citizens to weigh in on the qualifications of a judicial nominee for lifetime office. At the end of that time, it seems that senators should stand and be counted.

Kavanaugh left open the power of a home-state senator or a group to block a judicial nomination.

“But they can do so by persuading their colleagues and voting, not through procedural maneuvers,” Kavanaugh wrote. “In this way, voters can properly hold their senators accountable, nominees can receive prompt and respectful treatment, and key judicial vacancies can be filled without unnecessary delay.”