As the Senate begins its two-week spring recess, gone appear to be the days of including uncontroversial district judges in pre-recess “packages” that confirm nominees en masse by voice vote. Instead, the Democratic minority continues to insist upon time-consuming floor debates for district court nominees who are routinely confirmed by vast margins—and often unanimously. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell filed such a cloture motion for a district court nominee with her cloture and confirmation votes expected the week of April 9th after the Senate returns from its recess. Because of Democrats’ continuing obstruction efforts, April 10th will mark six weeks since the last circuit judge was confirmed and over a month since the last district judge was confirmed.
Last Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held confirmation hearings for two of President Trump’s nominees to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit: Amy St. Eve and Michael Scudder. During the hearing, Senator Dick Durbin praised the White House Counsel’s Office for its efforts to consult with the Illinois senators in identifying nominees for these Seventh Circuit vacancies.
Here is last week’s full update on federal judicial nominations.
Current and known future vacancies: 179
Courts of Appeals: 25
District/Specialty Courts*: 154
Pending nominees for current and known future vacancies: 57
Courts of Appeals: 10
District/Specialty Courts: 47
* Includes the Court of Federal Claims and the International Trade Court
Court of Appeals Nominees Awaiting Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings
| Nominee (Circuit) | Nomination Date | Days Pending | Both Blue Slips Returned? | Judiciary Committee Hearing Date |
| Ryan Bounds (9th) | 9/7/2017 | 197 | No | Not yet scheduled |
| Andrew Oldham (5th) | 2/15/2018 | 36 | No | Not yet scheduled |
| Mark Bennett (9th) | 2/15/2018 | 36 | No | Not yet scheduled |
Court of Appeals Nominees Awaiting Senate Judiciary Committee Votes
| Nominee (Circuit) | Nomination Date | Days Pending | Judiciary Committee Hearing Date |
| John Nalbandian (6th) | 1/24/2018 | 58 | 3/8/2018 |
| Amy St. Eve (7th) | 2/15/2018 | 36 | 3/21/2018 |
| Michael Scudder (7th) | 2/15/2018 | 36 | 3/21/2018 |
Court of Appeals Nominees Awaiting Senate Floor Votes
| Nominee (Circuit) | Nomination Date | Days Pending | Date Reported out of Senate Judiciary Committee |
| Kyle Duncan (5th) | 10/2/2017 | 172 | 1/18/2018 |
| Kurt Engelhardt (5th) | 10/5/2017 | 169 | 2/8/2018 |
| Michael Brennan (7th) | 8/3/2017 | 232 | 2/15/2018 |
| Joel Carson (10th) | 12/20/2017 | 93 | 2/14/2018 |
Nominees Awaiting Floor Votes: 32
Courts of Appeals: 4
District/Specialty Courts: 28
Nominees Confirmed by the Senate: 29
Supreme Court: 1
Courts of Appeals: 14
District/Specialty Courts: 14