Filling federal judicial vacancies with brilliant constitutionalist judges is one of Trump’s most important campaign promises. While the administration is off to a good start, there are now even more vacancies than when the president took office and many more are expected, while partisan gridlock is on the rise. This is the first of a series of periodic updates for those following the process.
Number of total current and known future vacancies: 160
Courts of Appeals: 25
District/Specialty Court*: 135
Number of pending nominees for current and known future vacancies: 32
Courts of Appeals: 8
District/Specialty Courts: 24
*Includes the Court of Federal Claims and the International Trade Court
Blue Slip Status of Pending Court of Appeals Nominees
Nominee (Circuit): Amy Coney Barrett (7th)
Nomination Date: 5/8/2017
Days Pending: 95
Both blue Slips Returned? Yes
Nominee (Circuit): Joan Larsen (6th)
Nomination Date: 5/8/2017
Days Pending: 95
Both blue Slips Returned? Yes
Nominee (Circuit): Davis Stras (8th)
Nomination Date: 5/8/2017
Days Pending: 95
Both blue Slips Returned? No
Nominee (Circuit): Ralph Erickson (8th)
Nomination Date: 6/7/2017
Days Pending: 65
Both blue Slips Returned? Yes
Nominee (Circuit): Alison Eid (10th)
Nomination Date: 6/7/2017
Days Pending: 65
Both blue Slips Returned? No
Nominee (Circuit): Stephanos Bibas (3rd)
Nomination Date: 6/19/2017
Days Pending: 53
Both blue Slips Returned? No
Nominee (Circuit): L. Steven Grasz (8th)
Nomination Date: 8/3/2017
Days Pending: 8
Both blue Slips Returned? No
Nominee (Circuit): Michael Brennan (7th)
Nomination Date: 8/3/2017
Days Pending: 8
Both blue Slips Returned? No
Nominees Awaiting Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing (Blue Slips Returned)
Nominee (Circuit): Amy Coney Barrett (7th)
Nomination Date: 5/8/2017
Days Pending: 95
Judiciary Committee Hearing Date: Not scheduled
Nominee (Circuit): Joan Larsen (6th)
Nomination Date: 5/8/2017
Days Pending: 95
Judiciary Committee Hearing Date: 9/6/2017
Nominee (Circuit): Ralph Erickson (8th)
Nomination Date: 6/7/2017
Days Pending: 65
Judiciary Committee Hearing Date: 7/25/2017
Nominees Awaiting Floor Votes (Reported by Senate Judiciary Committee)
Courts of Appeals: 1
District/Specialty Courts: 3
Nominees Confirmed by the Senate
Courts of Appeals: 3
District/Specialty Courts: 3
