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

Both say that Chairman Cash should have allowed them to exercise their senatorial courtesy to speak outside of public comment and reasonably exceed the two-minute limit.

From Salon

Biden was a longtime senator and still adheres to senatorial courtesy.

From Washington Post

As the two lawmakers clashed over interruptions and Senate protocol, Mr. Brown chided his Republican colleague, “Senator Kennedy, senatorial courtesy is also not doing character assassination.”

From Washington Times

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

The blue-slip tradition is a vestige of senatorial courtesy, giving home-state senators a chance to weigh in on judicial nominees from their states.

From Washington Times