Supreme Court Appointment Process: President’s Selection of a Nominee, January 27, 2017

“The appointment of a Supreme Court Justice is an event of major significance in American politics. Each appointment is of consequence because of the enormous judicial power the Supreme Court exercises as the highest appellate court in the federal judiciary. Appointments are usually infrequent, as a vacancy on the nine-member Court may occur only once or twice, or never at all, during a particular President’s years in office. Under the Constitution, Justices on the Supreme Court receive what can amount to lifetime appointments which, by constitutional design, helps ensure the Court’s independence from the President and Congress.” Analysis from the Congressional Research Service.

Neil Gorsuch’s Nomination to the Supreme Court: Initial Observations, February 1, 2017

“On January 31, 2017, President Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch of the federal Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (Tenth Circuit) to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court created by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February 2016. This vacancy has significant implications for the Court.” Congress, and the nation as a whole.” From Congressional Research Service Reports and Analysis.