A project of the American Constitution Society
Judicial Vacancies
The following is a list of the five judgeships that have been vacant for longer than all others. Click on any vacancy for more information, or click below for information on all judicial vacancies.
- Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit - vacant since 12/31/04 - No nominee
- Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit - vacant since 9/29/05 - No nominee
- Eastern District of North Carolina - vacant since 12/31/05 - no nominee
- Southern District of Mississippi - vacant since 2/4/06 - Carlton W. Reeves, nominated 4/28/10
- Northern District of New York - vacant since 3/13/06 - no nominee
Pending Nominees
The following is a list of the five judicial nominees who have been waiting the longest for confirmation. Click on any nominee for more information, or click below for information on all pending judicial nominees.
- Jane Stranch, Nominated to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on August 6, 2009
- Albert Diaz, Nominated to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on November 4, 2009
- Benita Pearson, Nominated to the Northern District of Ohio on December 3, 2009
- William Martinez, Nominated to the District of Colorado on February 24, 2010
- Scott Matheson, Nominated for the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals on March 3, 2010
In the News…
8/31/10 – DOJ Official Slams Republicans for Judicial Confirmation Pace
The Assistant Attorney General who heads the Justice Department office that helps the White House vet nominees for federal judgeships blamed Republicans for the low confirmation rate for the Barack Obama administration’s judicial picks, The Los Angeles Times reported. read full story
8/31/10 – Almost One in Eight U.S. Judgeships Vacant
A Los Angeles Times report documents that almost one out of eight federal judgeships is vacant across the country. read full story
8/31/10 – And As the World Turns, Senators Bicker Over Judicial Confirmations
Congress and President Obama could do at least this much to move the unemployment needle down ever so slightly: nominate or confirm 102 judges to the federal bench. read full story
Upcoming Events
Click on a link below to learn more about upcoming events addressing judicial nominations:
Congressional Statements
The following are selected statements by senators and congressmen concerning judicial nominations. Click on the link to view the item.
- 8/6/10: Sen. Burr on Judge Wynn and Nominee Diaz
- 7/30/10: Sen. Nelson on supporting cloture, opposing confirmation on Kagan
- 7/30/10: Sen. Gregg on support for Kagan nomination
- 7/29/10: Sen. Sessions Objects to Unanimous Consent Requests
- 7/29/10: Sen. Klobuchar on Obstruction
- 7/29/10: Sen. Reed on Obstruction and Nominee McConnell
- 7/29/10: Sens. Kohl and Feingold on Nominee Louis Butler
The Role of the Courts
Click here to view a document from the state of Maryland that includes a discussion of the concept of separation of powers and a description of the judicial branch.
Click here to view a document from the Federal Judicial Center that discusses the historical development of the federal judiciary.
How the Confirmation
Process Works
Click here to view a slide show explaining how the confirmation process works.
Click on the links below to learn more about the invididual parts of the confirmation process.
Videos
6/8/10: ACS Event on Elena Kagan’s nomination
4/20/10: Senator Whitehouse and Senator Kyl on the Senate floor
10/15/08: Barack Obama and John McCain debate Supreme Court nominations
1/31/08: Federalist Society event on judicial confirmations during the Bush administration
6/3/10: ACS Event on Justice Stevens’ legacy
