A spokesperson for Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, who chairs the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, told States Newsroom the panel approved Bove's nomination in a 12-0 vote — that is, despite panel rules that state "at least two members of the minority" must be present to transact committee business.

The hearing devolved into partisan rancor when the panel's Republican chairman, Chuck Grassley, cut off debate on Emil Bove's nomination. Senator Cory Booker shouted that Grassley was violating the committee's rules and Democrats walked out of the hearing.