“There is nothing to do,” lamented Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Senate Democrat who just enlisted for a re-election campaign next year in the hope the institution can get back on track.

It is not just partisan griping from Democrats. Republicans are also impatient as the Senate, under Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, has essentially become a judicial confirmation factory. (Eight more were processed this week, and others are on the way.)

Some Republicans say they are more than ready to make policy instead — or at least in addition.

Over the summer, Senator Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee and a close ally of Mr. McConnell, moved a bipartisan measure that takes aim at surprise medical bills and high prescription drug costs through the health committee he leads. The vote was 20 to 3. He is still waiting to bring the legislation to a vote.

“Senator McConnell has told me in the past that if I have something that I think is bipartisan and important that he will put it on the floor,” Mr. Alexander said. “I would like to see him put this on the floor.”

“I want to legislate,” agreed Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine.

They may end up disappointed. Mr. McConnell has told colleagues there is little chance to do much beyond what he considers the essentials — a spending package, the annual Pentagon policy bill and a new trade pact with Canada and Mexico if it comes over from the House. Other than that it is judges, judges, judges as the Senate runs out the clock on 2019.