Empty benches

[usregimechange]

When the Senate confirmed Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court, her status as the first Hispanic justice wasn't the only noteworthy part of the story.

She was also the first judicial nominee at any level to be approved by the Senate since President Obama took office.

And since confirming Sotomayor on Aug. 6, the Senate has approved only one other nominee for the entire federal judiciary.

Meanwhile, there are 94 vacancies for federal judges nationwide. Seven are in the Third Circuit, which includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. An additional 26 federal judges are expected to leave their posts by the end of next year.

Among those awaiting confirmation hearings are Joseph Greenway Jr. of New Jersey, nominated June 19 to fill a seat on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals vacated in 2006 when Justice Samuel Alito joined the Supreme Court; and U.S. District Judge Thomas Venaskie of Scranton, a friend of Sen. Robert Casey's family, nominated to the Third Circuit as well.

The slow pace of filling federal judgeships is building to a crisis. The Obama administration and Senate leaders need to work together more rapidly and effectively for the sake of a responsive justice system.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20090926_Editorial__Empty_benches.html


My post on Greenaway's nomination:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8485199

On some of his views:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5885296

On the Senate delaying his vote:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6624614

[depakid]

1. Yet the Senate seems just fine with taking long vacations that their constituents only dream of

[Demeter]

2. Paid Vacations. With a Secure Job to Come Back To