This book presents statistics regarding procedural actions taken on US district and circuit court nominations for the period January 4, 1977 through 2002. Among other things, the statistics for the 1977-2002 period show: Over the course of five successive presidencies, the senate confirmation percentage for circuit court nominations has declined. The great majority of each President's nominations have either been confirmed or returned. An average of seven nominations per President have been withdrawn. One nomination has been disapproved by a senate vote. The confirmation percentage for...

The appointment of a Supreme Court Justice is an infrequent event of major significance in American politics. Each appointment is important because of the enormous judicial power the Supreme Court exercises as the highest appellate court in the federal judiciary.

This report examines the role that home state Senators, historically and in the contemporary era, have played in the selection of nominees to U.S. district court and circuit court of appeals judgeships. It also identifies issues that have arisen in recent years over the role of home state Senators in the selection process for federal judges. Report findings include the following: Supported by the custom of "senatorial courtesy," Senators of the President's party have long played, as a general rule, the primary role in selecting candidates for the President to nominate to district court...