Sen. Jeff Flake Jeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeHow fast population growth made Arizona a swing state Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Republican former Michigan governor says he's voting for Biden MORE (R-Ariz.) is reportedly considering using votes on President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE’s appellate court nominees as a bargaining chip for demands on two separate issues.

CNN reported that Flake may block votes on the court nominations while he attempts to secure action on tariffs and travel restrictions to Cuba.

“We’re discussing it,” he told the network.

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Flake is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Republicans hold a one-seat advantage over Democrats.

If Flake does not support the appellate nominees, it could compromise their nominations. Most judges are voted out of the committee along party lines.

However, Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley Charles (Chuck) Ernest GrassleyThe Hill's 12:30 Report: Ginsburg lies in repose Top GOP senators say Hunter Biden's work 'cast a shadow' over Obama Ukraine policy Read: Senate GOP's controversial Biden report MORE (R-Iowa) told CNN that he will not schedule votes on the judges until Flake has indicated he’ll support the nominees.

Grassley added that the Senate nominations calendar is full, and he does not feel pressured to vote on judges at this time.

Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellFEC flags McConnell campaign over suspected accounting errors Poll: 59 percent think president elected in November should name next Supreme Court justice Mark Kelly: Arizona Senate race winner should be sworn in 'promptly' MORE (R-Ky.) have touted the confirmation of circuit court judges as one of his administration's hallmark achievements. The Republican-held Senate set a record pace for judge confirmations earlier this year.

Flake, who is retiring from the Senate when his term expires in January, has become one of the most vocal GOP critics of Trump in recent months.

He has expressed concerns over Trump's decision to implement steep tariffs on U.S. allies.

Last year, he slammed Trump's reversal of the Obama administration policy that lifted travel restrictions to Cuba. Flake co-sponsored a bill that would have lifted such restrictions.