Put a hold on the holds

The WSJ also has an editorial against the practice of allowing individual senators to put holds on presidential nominees for diplomatic and other positions. Mostly, it allows senators to hold nominees hostage to get political concessions or impress pressure groups rather than make a convincing case against a nominee they oppose. It is also an abdication by the Senate itself of its advise and consent duty under the Constitution. If you have a good reason to oppose someone, lay your reasons on the table. If you convince your fellow senators, the nominee will be rejected. If not, tough luck.

The Senate is the Greatest Narcissistic body in the world, however, and so I doubt that it will ever see the reason of this point.