Attorney General Holder Speaks Out On Vacancy Crisis

In an appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week, United States Attorney General Erik Holder highlighted the vacancy crisis in our federal courts. Mr. Holder said that:

Today, our nation’s court system is in a state of crisis, with more than ten percent of federal judgeships sitting vacant. If the Senate maintains the confirmation pace set during the last two years, the result will be a federal judicial system stressed to the breaking point, with litigants waiting longer and longer for their day in court. I urge the Senate to act without delay on all outstanding judicial nominations.

There are 113 current and future vacancies on the federal bench, 35 of which are considered to be judicial emergencies by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Current and future vacancies affect 46 states (all but Iowa, Minnesota, and the Dakotas). Eleven nominees are currently awaiting final confirmation vote in the Senate.

For the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on judicial nominations, visit the Alliance for Justice’s Judicial Selection Project webpage.