Category: Federal
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Ballotpedia releases federal judicial vacancy count for September 2021
In this month’s federal judicial vacancy count, Ballotpedia tracked nominations, confirmations, and vacancies in Article III courts during the month of September through Oct. 1. Ballotpedia publishes the federal judicial vacancy count at the start of each month. HIGHLIGHTS Vacancies: There have been four new judicial vacancies since the August 2021 report. There are 82…
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SCOTUS begins October sitting for 2021-2022 term
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) began its first argument sitting of the 2021-2022 term on Oct. 4. The court will hear arguments in person for the first time since March 2020. Argument audio will be streamed live to the public. Justice Brett Kavanaugh will participate remotely, due to testing positive for coronavirus…
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SCOTUS accepts 5 cases, Justice Kavanaugh tests positive for COVID-19
On Sept. 30, 2021, the Supreme Court of the United States (“SCOTUS”) accepted five cases to its merits docket for the 2021-2022 term: Federal Elections Commission v. Cruz involves Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) challenge to federal election law regarding how and when candidates may repay personal loans made to their political campaigns. The case originated…
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President Biden announces new slate of federal judicial nominees
President Joe Biden (D) announced 10 new nominees to Article III judgeships on Sept. 30. These judges are appointed by the president and serve lifetime terms. Click the links below to learn more about the nominees and the courts: Bridget Brennan, to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Victoria Calvert, to…
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SCOTUS releases COVID-19 procedures for oral arguments
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) on Sept. 27 released new procedures for oral arguments during the October, November, and December sittings of the 2021-2022 term, in accordance with the court’s COVID-19 protocols. According to the clerk of court’s announcement: Arguing counsel attending arguments are required to take a COVID test the morning…
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A look back at government responses to the coronavirus pandemic, Sept. 28-Oct. 2, 2020
Although the first case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was confirmed on Jan. 21, 2020, it wasn’t until March when the novel coronavirus upended life for most Americans. Throughout the year, states issued stay-at-home orders, closed schools, restricted travel, issued mask mandates, and changed election dates. Here are the policy changes that happened Sept. 28…
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Federal Register weekly update: Nine new significant documents added
The Federal Register is a daily journal of federal government activity that includes presidential documents, proposed and final rules, and public notices. It is a common measure of an administration’s regulatory activity, accounting for both regulatory and deregulatory actions. From Sept. 20 through Sept. 24, the Federal Register grew by 1,114 pages for a year-to-date…
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Major party committees have raised $531 million in 2021
Six party committees have raised a combined $531 million over the first eight months of the 2022 election cycle. In August, the committees raised $58 million, according to recent filings with the Federal Election Commission. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) raised $8.0 million and spent $6.9 million in August, while the Democratic Senatorial Campaign…
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U.S. Senate confirms nominee to U.S. district court
The U.S. Senate on Sept. 21 confirmed one of President Joe Biden’s (D) federal judicial nominees to a lifetime Article III judgeship. Margaret Strickland, U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, by a vote of 52-45 Margaret Strickland was nominated to the District of New Mexico on April 19 to replace Judge Robert…
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U.S. Senate confirms nominee to 10th Circuit Court of Appeals
The U.S. Senate on Sept. 20 confirmed one of President Joe Biden’s (D) federal judicial nominees to a lifetime Article III judgeship. Veronica Rossman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, by a vote of 50-42. Veronica Rossman was nominated to the 10th Circuit on May 12 to replace Judge Carlos Lucero, who assumed…