The Senate is waging a war of attrition on judicial confirmations. Since the beginning of 2015, the number of judicial vacancies has increased substantially and the number of judicial vacancy emergencies has more than doubled. President Barack Obama’s judicial nominees wait more than 40 percent longer for confirmation than President George W. Bush’s nominees. It is no wonder that the number of civil cases pending in the federal courts continues to grow, and more Americans are waiting for their day in court.
Jake Faleschini is the Director of the Courts Program for Legal Progress at the Center for American Progress. Erin Whalen is an Associate Graphic Designer at the Center.
The authors would like to thank Legal Progress Campaign Manager Anisha Singh and interns Michael Piaccelli and Maheen Ahmed for their research and other assistance in the making of this infographic.