On The Bench: Week March 16, 2023

The Senate made limited progress on judicial nominations this week with only one confirmation. Jessica Clarke (S.D.N.Y.) was confirmed by the Senate in a 48-43 vote. There are still 20 nominees who are awaiting action on the Senate floor.

The Senate Judiciary Committee was scheduled to hold an executive business meeting this week. The Committee canceled the meeting, likely due to Senator Feinstein’s continued absence. The Committee has noticed a hearing for March 22. As of March 16, the nominees who will appear at this hearing are not public, but it is likely that several judicial nominees will appear.

As of March 16, there are 98 Article III vacancies, 74 of which are current. There are 34 pending nominees: 20 waiting for floor votes, 10 waiting to be reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and 4 waiting for hearings before the Committee. To date, 117 Article III judges have been confirmed during the Biden-Harris Administration.