Texas Judges at Federal Courts Struggle As Bench Vacancies Grow

[TexasTowelie]

Texas has some of the busiest federal courts in the nation – and some of the most judicial vacancies. That means judges who are on duty in Texas are struggling.

Right now, seven seats are vacant at federal district courts in Texas. Four more vacancies are expected by 2015. That’s more than 20 percent of federal judgeships in the state.

The administrative office of the U.S. Courts has listed four of the current vacancies as judicial emergencies. Meanwhile, three of Texas’ nine seats at the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans are vacant. Those are also listed as emergencies.

"Just think about it this way. If the Dallas Mavericks or the San Antonio Spurs or the Houston Rockets had to take the court with four players instead of five, they wouldn’t be very successful. They couldn’t get the job done. And that’s really where our federal courts are now."

More at http://kut.org/post/texas-judges-federal-courts-struggle-bench-vacancies-grow .

[House of Roberts]

1. Harry Reid ended the filibuster for blocking nominees.

What's the holdup? I'd think the Obama Administration would be eager to fill these positions, just like they were eager to get rid of Bush's DoJ appointments. Oh wait...

[atreides1]

2. Blue Slips

Which are a tradition and not legally binding...but they have the power to leave open seats in federal courts across the country!

[DhhD]

3. What does Rick Perry say about this situation? It is a campaign issue if he is against

the judicial appointment candidates as he needs to tell why. I need to hear it from him.

[Gothmog]

4. Goodhair has nothing to say about this

These are federal judges and President Obama appoints these judges subject to Senate confirmation. The problem is that under blue slip procedure, Cornyn and Carnival Cruz have to consent to judges for Texas before the Judiciary committee will consider these appointments.