But the White House has put forward only two picks for the open slots — neither of which has been confirmed. In the 9th Circuit, multiple states with court vacancies have a pair of Democrats, which raises the chances for partisan standoffs over changes to the judiciary. The dynamic is especially acute in California, which boasts three of the 9th Circuit vacancies. The two senators, in turn, worked on their own recommendations and sent them to the White House on Friday. McConnell has helped the president install a dozen circuit court judges in the first year of his presidency — a record for any president in his first 12 months.

Source: Washington Post May 06, 2018 23:48 UTC