Blue Slip Policy

The Blue Slip Policy is a tradition in the Senate Judiciary Committee where appellate and district court judge nominees can have their confirmations delayed by either Senator of the home state in which the judge will be installed.

When the President indicates his choice to fill a court vacancy, the committee will discuss the nominees chances and if someone disagrees, instead of filibustering, the offended Senator will appear in committee wearing a blue slip. This is a silent, yet sexy way of indicating to the committee chair of his disapproval of the nominee.

The chair can then decide to delay the confirmation indefinitely.