Three Democrats have said they intend to oppose the confirmation of Mr. Mangi to the Philadelphia-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in response to objections from local law enforcement groups.
He has also faced what his backers label an unfounded bigoted assault from Republicans who have accused him of antisemitism and sympathy with terrorists.
If Republicans remain united against him, as expected, and the Democrats cannot be persuaded to change their position, Mr. Mangi would lack the votes to be confirmed.
The showdown is a new obstacle for the Biden administration and Senate Democrats as they try to fill as many federal court openings as they can before November.
It has also angered Democrats who believe Mr. Mangi, a litigator from New Jersey and partner in a New York law firm, has been subjected to a baseless and ugly assault by Republicans because of his religion.
Persons:
Biden, Mangi
Organizations:
Appeals, Third Circuit, Republicans, Democrats
Locations:
American, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York