Wisc. Senators Clash On Long-Vacant Appeals Court Seat

The 7^th Circuit Appeals Court in Chicago has had a vacancy since 2010, making it the longest-standing open seat in the federal appeals system. After jointly establishing a federal nominating commission, the brief partnership between Wisconsin’s Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Republican Sen. Ron Johnson was splintered when Baldwin last week sent President Barack Obama a list of eight candidates, after the nominating commission failed to reach a consensus. Johnson immediately sent a letter protesting the nominees, calling the move “strikingly partisan.” A spokesman for Baldwin told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “This appellate court vacancy is now 1,947 days old and Senator Baldwin believes it is important that action be taken to put a judge in place to serve. That is why she has sent to the White House eight well-qualified and experienced finalists from the bipartisan commission.”