blue slip process

The blue slip process is a congressional procedure used to give senators a voice in the judicial nomination process. When a president nominates someone for a federal judgeship, the Senate Judiciary Committee first reviews the nominee. The committee sends a blue-colored form, called a "blue slip," to the senator from the nominee’s home state. If the senator supports the nomination and submits the slip, it usually moves forward smoothly. If they oppose or don’t respond, it can delay or block the nomination. This process ensures local input is considered in federal judicial appointments.