OLP works with the Attorney General in advising the President on nominations
for Article III judgeships. After the President has submitted a nomination
to the Senate, OLP works with the White House and the Senate Judiciary
Committee in securing the nominee's confirmation. The data on this site
provide an overview of the nomination and confirmation activity relating
to each Congress since the 107th.
110th Congress
54 =
Current vacancies in the 870-member Article III federal judiciary.
- Article III judiciary includes the Supreme Court of the United States,
Circuit Courts of Appeals, District Courts, and the Court of International
Trade.
104 =
Nominations submitted in the 110th Congress.
|
Current
Vacancies |
Nominations
Since 1/2007 |
Confirmations |
Sup.
Ct. |
0 (of 9) |
|
|
Circuit |
13 (of 178) —7% |
24 |
10 |
District |
41 (of 674) —6% |
80 |
58 |
CIT |
0 (of 9) |
|
|
TOTAL |
54 (of 870) —6% |
104 |
68 |
|
Complete list of nominations during
the 110th Congress.
Complete list of confirmed nominees during
the 110th Congress.
Complete list of vacancies.
Blue Slips
A blue slip is the traditional method of allowing the home state
senators of a judicial nominee to express their approval or disapproval.
Blue slips are generally given substantial weight by the Judiciary Committee
in its consideration of a judicial nominee. The process dates back several
decades and is grounded in the tradition of "senatorial courtesy," which
traces its roots back to the presidency of George Washington.
Judicial Emergency:
A judicial emergency is defined as the following:
Circuit court
- any vacancy in a court of appeals where adjusted filings per panel
are in excess of 700; or
- any vacancy in existence more than 18 months where adjusted filings
are between 500 to 700 per panel.
District court
- any vacancy where weighted filings are in excess of 600 per judgeship;
- any vacancy in existence more than 18 months where weighted filings
are between 430 and 600 per judgeship; or
- any court with more than one authorized judgeship and only one active
judge.
The Federal Judiciary has posted a listing of Judicial
Emergencies.
|