Republican Sen. Cory Gardner has made good on his promise to block Justice Department appointments over Attorney General Jeff Sessions' war on marijuana, preventing 11 so far from a floor vote, The Denver Post reports.
There are another 20 coming down the pike, the Post reports, with no end in sight to the dispute between the Colorado Republican and Sessions.
At issue is Sessions' crackdown on legal marijuana, which rescinded an Obama-era softening that left alone states that legalized marijuana.
Further, Gardner said he had the word of Sessions prior to his confirmation last year that he would not mess with marijuana. Sessions went back on his word, according to the senator.
So Gardner made his vow last month to put a hold on every nominee to the Justice Department — including U.S. marshals and U.S. attorneys — until Sessions backs down.
The Senate could override the holds, but it would take up valuable time on the floor.
"It may never resolve itself," Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Judiciary Committee that gets nominees to the Senate floor, told the Post.
Both sides continue negotiating.
"Our staff and DOJ staff continue to talk and meet to discuss a path forward which recognizes Colorado's state's rights and ensures law enforcement has the authority and tools needed to protect our communities," Gardner spokesman Casey Contres told the Post in a statement.