senatorial courtesy

American  

noun

1. the practice in the U.S. Senate of confirming only those presidential appointees approved by both senators from the state of the appointee, or by the senior senator of the president's party.

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Etymology

Origin of senatorial courtesy

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

He also said he has declined to return his blue slip — a senatorial courtesy that gives home-state senators a chance to express acceptance of a nominee.

From Washington Times • Oct. 10, 2018

Sessions can expect a modicum of senatorial courtesy, given his long tenure in that chamber, but however polite, his hearings will expose some of the rawness that remains in the aftermath of the election.

From Washington Post • Jan. 7, 2017

This practice is known as senatorial courtesy, and it amounts to an unwritten rule that is closely followed in the Senate.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2016

On entering office, Hoover had declared that he intended to end the practice of awarding judicial appointments based on senatorial courtesy and instead vowed to raise the standards and requisite qualifications for lower-court ap­pointments.

From Salon • Mar. 30, 2013

He fell back upon the practice of senatorial courtesy, and held up the confirmation of the appointment.

From The New Nation by Dodd, William E.