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 • Nov. 17, 2025

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 • May 7, 2018

Eventually senatorial courtesy, whereby the Senate always confirmed one of its own, prevailed.

From Washington Post • Feb. 19, 2016

The unwritten rule of senatorial courtesy plays an important part in this process.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2016

That fine old term "senatorial courtesy" has lost much of its meaning as a result of the brusque and breezy manner of the time.

From Fifty Years of Public Service by Cullom, Shelby M.