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You’ve probably heard the news that this week the Senate is considering the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the position of Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Did you ever wonder how this appointment process works?

Article III of the Constitution established the judicial branch of government with the creation of the Supreme Court, the highest court in the United States. One of the Supreme Court’s most important responsibilities is to decide cases that raise questions of constitutional interpretation. The Court decides if a law or government action violates the Constitution. Nominations for the Supreme Court are made by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

On May 26, 2009, President Obama announced the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

This week the Senate Judiciary Committee is considering the nomination of Judge Sotomayor. The Judiciary Committee holds hearings to consider judicial and other nominations. You can watch a webcast of the hearings on the Judiciary Committee website.

During a hearing, members of the Judiciary Committee hold a question and answer session with the nominee. After the hearing, Committee members may send written follow-up questions to the nominee. After the completion of any follow-up questions, the committee will vote to decide if the nominee should be considered by the full Senate. If a majority of the Senate votes in favor of a nomination, the President is notified of the Senate's action, and the nomination is confirmed. Once a person has been approved by the Senate and sworn in as a Supreme Court Justice, he or she remains in the job for life.

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