Question: Who selects the Supreme Court justices?
Answer: It is a two-step process to become a Supreme Court justice.
- The president nominates an individual to the Supreme Court when an opening occurs.
- Typically, the president picks someone from their own party.
- The president usually picks someone who agrees with their judicial philosophy of either judicial restraint or judicial activism.
- The president might also choose someone of a varied background in order to bring a greater degree of balance to the court.
- The Senate confirms the presidential appointment with a majority vote.
- While it is not a requirement, the nominee typically testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee before being confirmed by the full Senate.
- Rarely is a Supreme Court nominee forced to withdraw or rejected. Only 20 individuals have withdrawn or been rejected with last being Harriet Miers in 2005.
