Senatorial courtesy is an unwritten tradition by which the Senate refuses to confirm a nomination to an office within a particular state unless the nominee has been approved by the senators of the president's party from that state. A senator typically invokes the rule of courtesy by stating that the nominee is “personally obnoxious” to him or her. [Source: The Presidency A to Z; Senatorial Courtesy]
senatorial courtesy
powers of Congress
concepts
congressional procedures