How are the Supreme Court justices appointed?
SUPREME Court justices are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Once appointed, the justices will serve a life-term working at the Supreme Court.
Here is more on how the Supreme Court justices are appointed.
How are the Supreme Court Justices appointed?
Supreme Court justices are first nominated by the president.
Usually, the names of the potential nominees are recommended by people in Congress from within the president's party.
The Senate then holds a confirmation hearing for each nominee and formally confirms one judge.
Article III of the Constitution states that these judges will be appointed for a life-term.
How many Supreme Court justices are there?
There are nine Supreme Court justices, including one Chief Justice.
The Constitution does not have a set number on how many judges should serve on the Supreme Court.
Prior to 1989 there were only six justices.
Justices do not have to campaign for a seat or run for re-election to help with impartiality when deciding cases.
The judges remain in office until they resign, pass away or are impeached by Congress.
Why are they so important?
Supreme Court justices are crucial to the US government because they represent the highest court in the country.
The Supreme Court serves as the last resort for those seeking justice in their legal cases.
The judges are responsible for checks and balances within each branch of government, setting limits and ensuring laws do not harm or take advantage of unpopular majorities.
They also serve to ensure that the views of the majority do not undermine the fundamental values of common laws in America such as freedom of speech and due process.
When are new justices appointed?
New justices are appointed when one dies or resigns.
How many justices has Donald Trump appointed?
has appointed two justices throughout his term in office.
Neil Gorsuch was sworn in to the Supreme Court in April of 2017, succeeding Antonin Scalia who had passed away in 2016.
Brett Kavanaugh was appointed in 2018 to replace Anthony Kennedy.
How many justices did Barack Obama appoint?
Just like Trump, appointed two justices while he was in office.
Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic and Latina member of the Court, was appointed in August of 2009.
Sotomayor replaced retiring Justice David Souter.
In addition, Justice Elena Kagan was appointed in 2010 and replaced retiring Justice John Paul Stevens.
Who will replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg?
It is uncertain yet who will , who died on Friday.
Customary rule states that during an election year a president should wait until the election to nominate a judge.
However, to fill seat.
There have been talks that Circuit Judge Amy Coney Barrett is seen as a leading contender, as well as Senator Ted Cruz and Senator Tom Cotton.
Senate Majority Leader said that he would not oppose Trump’s nomination despite being 46 days away from election.
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However, McConnell blocked Obama’s Supreme Court pick during the presidential campaign in 2016.
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He advocated for waiting until the next president took office saying it allows the Senate to “give the people a voice in the filling of this vacancy.”
Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland did not fill the vacancy to replace Justice Scalia, giving Trump the opportunity to choose his candidate upon taking office.
