How Has the Appointment and Approval of Lower Federal Courts

Multiple Choice

How has the appointment and approval of lower federal courts changed in the past three decades?

A) Since most important decisions are made by the Supreme Court, few government officials express much interest in who sits in the lower courts.
B) Senators have increased their ability to select the lower court judges who will operate in their states.
C) The tradition of "senatorial courtesy" has disappeared completely.
D) The confirmation of lower court judges has become more hotly contested.
E) The Senate and the presidency have come to agree that partisan factors should not intrude on judicial concerns, and that nominees should be judged solely on their professional qualifications.