The Judicial Selection Process

1. The U.S. Constitution requires that the president's appointments to the federal bench be made with the advice and consent of the Senate. Thus, the Senate must approve all nominees before they are appointed to the bench. Once appointed, federal judges serve for life unless they resign or are removed through the impeachment process. 
   
2. When the Senate receives a nomination from the President, it sends the nomination to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration. 
   
3. Before the Judiciary Committee holds a hearing on the nominee, it asks the senators from the nominee’s home state whether they approve of the nominee. 
   
4. If both homestate senators approve of the nominees, the Judiciary Committee schedules a hearing.
   
5. After the hearing, the Committee votes on the nominee. If a majority of the committee votes in favor of the nominee, the nomination is sent to the full Senate for its consideration. 
   
6. If a majority of the Senate (or 3/5 of the Senate if a senator filibusters the nominee) vote in favor of a nominee, the nominee is confirmed for a lifetime appointment to the federal bench.