Trump had nominated Habba, whom he tapped on an interim basis in March, for the full-time appointment. But Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim used blue slips — which empower home-state senators to block U.S. attorney and District Court judge nominees — to keep her from advancing in the chamber.

Iowa, has previously rejected President Donald Trump’s calls to disregard the federal official confirmation tradition. The senator’s spokesperson quoted him as telling

Trump trashed the "blue slip" as an "old and outdated 'custom'" that has allowed Democrats to block his nominees.