Implications for the Senate of President Bush's Proposal on Judicial Nominations

RS21506 -- Implications for the Senate of President Bush's Proposal on Judicial Nominations

Updated March 10, 2005

Summary

President Bush has said that the current process for confirming federal appellate and district court judges is too partisan and has broken down, echoing a critique raised by most contemporary Presidents. In late 2002, Bush proposed a series of changes to the system that, he argues, would accelerate the process by setting timetables for action and guaranteeing a Senate vote on each nominee. The proposal raises questions about the traditional powers of the Senate and its constitutional role in offering "advice and consent" on the dozens of nominations submitted each year for the third branch of government, the judiciary. This report will be updated as events warrant.