President Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley made history this week, as the Senate confirmed L. Steven Grasz, Don Willett, and James Ho (the tenth, eleventh and twelfth circuit court nominees confirmed this year). This represents the most federal circuit court nominees ever confirmed during a president’s first year in office. The President, Leader McConnell, and Chairman Grassley have made a significant and lasting impact on our federal courts through their efforts to confirm outstanding federal judges over the course of this year, and deserve recognition for this historic achievement.
Here is this week’s full update on federal judicial nominations.
Number of current and known future vacancies: 163
Courts of Appeals: 19
District/Specialty Courts*: 144
Number of pending nominees for current and known future vacancies: 43
Courts of Appeals: 6
District/Specialty Courts: 37
* Includes the Court of Federal Claims and the International Trade Court
Nominees Awaiting Floor Votes: 25
Courts of Appeals: 0
District/Specialty Courts: 25
Nominees Confirmed by the Senate: 19
Supreme Court: 1
Courts of Appeals: 12
District/Specialty Courts: 6