U.S. Senate Federal Judiciary Committee:
Judicial Nominations and Confirmations

Current Federal Judicial Vacancies, CLICK HERE.
Future Federal Judicial Vacancies, CLICK HERE.
For  information about the Supreme Court, CLICK  HERE.
Sample Public Judicial Questionnaires: CLICK HERE.

Judicial nominations for all Article III courts that are sent to the  Senate for consideration by the President are referred to the Senate  Judiciary Committee.   These include nominations for the U.S. Supreme  Court, the U.S. Courts of   Appeals, U.S. District Courts, and the Court  of International  Trade.

Pursuant to the Constitution, nominations for the Supreme Court,  Courts of Appeals and District Courts are made by the President and  confirmed by the Senate.  Potential nominees are sometimes identified  and recommended by members of Congress.  Nominees confirmed by the  Senate are appointed for lifetime terms.  After a nomination is received  by the Senate and referred to the Judiciary Committee, the  Committee  typically conducts a confirmation hearing for each nominee.  Before a  hearing can be scheduled in the Committee, however, nominees are  expected to  complete a comprehensive questionnaire.  In light of their  interest in nominees from their home state, and to encourage  consultation, Senators from a nominee's home state are also invited to  participate in the process.  They are provided a "blue slip" by the  Committee, by which they can approve moving the nominee through the  Committee process.  It is important to note, however, that the return of  a positive "blue slip" is not a commitment by either home state Senator  to support or oppose, a pending nomination.  The American Bar Association's Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary also provides an evaluation of the professional qualifications of a judicial nominee.  These ratings  provide an evaluation of a nominee's integrity, professional competence  and judicial temperament.  They are not an evaluation of a nominee's  philosophy or  ideology.

During a hearing, judicial nominees engage in a question and answer  session with members of the Judiciary Committee.  After the hearing,  Committee members may send written follow-up questions to the nominee.   After the completion of any follow-up questions, a nomination can then  be listed for Committee
consideration during an Executive Business  Meeting.  Should the Committee order
a nomination reported, the  nomination is placed on the Senate's Executive Calendar  where it would await consideration by the full
Senate.  If a majority  of the Senate votes in favor of a nomination, the President is notified  of the Senate's action, and the nomination is
confirmed.

There are a total of 875 Article III judgeships nationwide.  New  judgeships are established through legislation proposed, approved and  enacted by Congress.  There are 13 judicial circuits  in the United States, each with a U.S. Court of Appeals.  Within the 13  judicial circuits
there are 89 districts.  Pending cases in federal  court originate first in the district courts.  Following a ruling by the  district courts, a defendant or plaintiff may appeal the ruling to the  Appellate Court.  In a limited number of
cases, the Supreme Court  decides to consider a case following a decision by the Appellate Court.   The Supreme Court begins its term on the first Monday in October, and typically adjourns in June.

For more information about federal judicial nominations, judicial vacancies, and the confirmation process, visit the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.