'We have a problem,' Senate Judiciary's Durbin says member's flight delay will hold up Jackson vote

A emergency flight delay for a Senate Judiciary Committee member on Monday is holding up the panel's vote on whether to recommend Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for a final Supreme Court nomination vote. 

"We have a problem," said Committee Chairman Dick Durbin about the delayed flight of fellow Democrat and committee member Alex Padilla, of California. 

Durbin called for a recess as all 22 members of the committee make final arguments on Monday on whether allow a full Senate vote on President Biden's high court nominee. 

"It is my intention to recess," the Illinois Democrat said. "I believe Sen. Padilla will back in time this afternoon for us to consider this nomination and a record vote."

Durbin's office said Padilla's flight was returned to Los Angeles International Airport "due to a passenger medical emergency" and that Padilla as a result boarded the next available flight. 

Committee Democrats need Padilla present to get the evenly split panel to a deadlock 11-11 vote. Once the presumptive deadlock vote is taken, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will move to discharge Jackson's nomination to the full Senate. 

Democrats are hopeful that vote will occur Monday evening, putting Jackson on schedule to be confirmed by late Friday.