The Senate struck a deal to expedite judicial confirmations, allowing votes on seven district court judges after Thanksgiving and six more in December but excluding four of President Biden’s appellate nominees.

This brings Biden closer to Trump’s first-term record of 234 confirmed judges, with Biden’s total at 221.

Excluded nominees include Adeel Mangi, who would have been the first Muslim American federal appellate judge, the Associated Press has reported.

The compromise, criticized by liberal groups, aims to clear pending confirmations before Republicans take Senate control in January.

Written by B.C. Begley