Republican U.S. senators, including Florida’s Rick Scott, have pledged to show up for congressional votes for future federal judges in the wake of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ criticism that recent absences led to the confirmation of a “leftist” appeals court judge.

The controversy over the nomination and confirmation of federal judges comes during President Biden’s final weeks in office. On Nov. 18, five Republican senators, including Florida’s Marco Rubio and Ohio’s J.D. Vance, were no-shows during a 49-45 vote confirming nominee Embry Kidd to serve on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

“This leftist judge would have been voted down and the seat on the important 11th Circuit would have been filled by Donald Trump next year had Republicans showed up,” DeSantis said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “Now, the leftist judge will have a lifetime appointment and the people of Florida, Alabama and Georgia will suffer the consequences.”