President Obama’s nominees to fill federal court vacancies

October 3rd, 2009 Obamas celebrate anniversary with dinner outWASHINGTON — There was no trip to New York and no fancy outing as the Obamas celebrated their first wedding anniversary since they moved to the White House. Instead they kept it simple, with a dinner out Saturday night at an elegant, American-fare restaurant near Georgetown.

October 2nd, 2009 INSIDE WASHINGTON: Obama moving slowly on judgesWASHINGTON — Eight months into office, President Barack Obama is moving far more slowly than his predecessor to fill federal court vacancies, leaving liberals waiting for the judiciary to tilt to the left. At stake are precedent-setting rulings on issues that divide liberals and conservatives: immigration, the death penalty, discrimination, campaign finance and abortion.

September 30th, 2009 Justice asks high court to OK labor board rulingsWASHINGTON — The Justice Department on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to let a federal labor board continue working even though three of its five seats are vacant. The National Labor Relations Board, which resolves conflicts between unions and management, has worked with three vacancies for nearly two years because of political wrangling in the Senate.

September 17th, 2009 Gerard Lynch confirmed for New York appeals courtWASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday confirmed Gerard Lynch for the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, giving overwhelming approval to the New York judge who presided over cases involving former basketball coach Isiah Thomas and recording artist Lil' Kim.

September 13th, 2009 Lag in filling senior policy jobs at Treasury, HHSWASHINGTON — The White House has filled important policy jobs at the two departments essential to President Barack Obama's domestic priorities at a much slower rate than elsewhere in his administration after eight months in charge of the government. At the Treasury Department, which is overseeing one of the largest financial rescue plans in history, just 12 of the 33 high-level posts requiring Senate confirmation are filled.

August 26th, 2009 Obamas visit top adviser's home on vacationOAK BLUFFS, Mass. — President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are spending the evening at White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett's house around dinnertime.

July 7th, 2009 Lawyers' group: Sotomayor well qualified for courtWASHINGTON — Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor earned a "well-qualified" rating from the American Bar Association on Tuesday as she prepared for Senate hearings next week. The ABA committee that reviewed her qualifications came out with that unanimous rating of the federal appeals court judge and released it in a letter to White House lawyer Greg Craig.

July 2nd, 2009 Fla. justices: Gov. can't reject judge nomineesTALLAHASSEE, Fla.

June 4th, 2009 Rifle group appeals handgun ban to high courtWASHINGTON — The National Rifle Association is asking the Supreme Court to strike down strict gun control laws in the Chicago area, setting the stage for another high court battle over Second Amendment protections for gun owners. The NRA wants the court to rule that last year's gun rights decision invalidating a handgun ban in the District of Columbia applies as well to local and state laws.

May 5th, 2009 Hatch says Obama promised not to nominate radicalWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has told a leading Senate Republican he would not nominate a radical or extremist to the Supreme Court. Sen. Orrin Hatch said Monday that the president called him to discuss the nomination but did not provide names of anyone under consideration.

May 3rd, 2009 Senators: Look beyond the bench for a new justiceWASHINGTON — Democratic and Republican senators said Sunday they hope President Barack Obama looks beyond the federal bench as he considers a replacement for retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter. Obama said last week he would be looking at potential nominees who have empathy for ordinary Americans.

May 1st, 2009 A glance at potential Obama nominees to high courtAmong the people President Barack Obama is likely to consider to replace Justice David Souter: — Judge Ruben Castillo of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

May 1st, 2009 Recent vacancies on US Supreme CourtRecent vacancies on the U.S. Supreme Court: —Sandra Day O'Connor, retired; replaced in 2006 by Samuel A.

May 1st, 2009 Appeals Court cancels 300 NLRB decisionsWASHINGTON — A federal appeals court has wiped away with one opinion some 300 decisions made last year by the Bush administration's labor relations board. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington said Friday that all the decisions handed down in 2008 by the National Labor Relations Board are invalid because they were made by just two members.

April 30th, 2009 Obama to name SC regulator to FCC seatPresident Barack Obama intends to nominate Mignon Clyburn, a utility regulator and former newspaper executive from South Carolina, to the Federal Communications Commission. The five-member FCC has three vacancies.