Article III of the Constitution provides that there shall be one Supreme Court and such inferior courts as Congress may "ordain and establish." The Judiciary Act of 1789 formally established the Supreme Court and federal court system. The Senate Judiciary Committee, established in 1816, considers topics ranging from criminal justice to antitrust and intellectual property law, as well provides advice and consent for judicial nominations. The committee typically conducts confirmation hearings for nominees to the Supreme Court, courts of appeals (circuit courts), and district courts. These judicial officers, known as Article III judges, are appointed for a life term.
Supreme Court Nominations
The Supreme Court consists of the chief justice of the United States and eight associate justices. The president has the power to nominate the justices and appointments are made with the advice and consent of the Senate. You can search for Supreme Court cases on Findlaw .
Supreme Court Nominations, 1789-present
A Chief Justice Rejected, December 17, 1795
Senate Tries Supreme Court Justice, November 30, 1804
Committee Grills Nominee, January 28, 1925
Supreme Court Nominee Refuses to Testify, October 1, 1949
Filibuster Derails Supreme Court Appointment, October 1, 1968
U.S. District and Appellate Court Nominations
Senate Judiciary Committee on Nominations
Judicial Nomination Statistics, 1977-2003 (pdf)
Federal Recess Judges (pdf)
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