Now that the Senate is approaching the end of its lame-duck session after President Obama captured another term and Democrats enhanced their Senate majority, federal judicial selection warrants review. As of mid-December, the bench had 60 openings in the 679 district court judgeships, two of which were Middle District of Pennsylvania vacancies. Accordingly, President Obama must swiftly nominate, and the upper chamber must promptly consider, nominees, so that courts can deliver justice.
Some observers have asserted that the president suggested too few nominees during 2009, but the White House stepped up the pace after that. The administration has systematically pursued guidance and support from Republican and Democratic senators in states with openings before actual nominations. Obama has chosen uncontroversial individuals of even temperament who are smart, ethical, diligent, independent and diverse vis-á-vis ethnicity, gender and ideology.
