UNDATED (WSAU) Wisconsin has had two federal court vacancies for a long time – and they might not be filled for at least a few more months.
The nominations of Louis Butler for a district judgeship in Madison, and Victoria Nourse to the federal appeals court in Chicago, have been held up in the U-S Senate. Now, it appears that neither will be confirmed.
Republican Ron Johnson opposes both nominees. And Johnson’s office has asked that the state’s commission which nominates federal judges be re-structured.
The current panel nominated Butler and Nourse when both of the state’s U-S senators were Democratic. Now, Senate leaders require a state delegation’s unanimous consent before moving ahead with nominations. And Johnson opposes both Butler – the former state Supreme Court justice who’s fiercely opposed by conservatives – and Nourse, a U-W Madison law professor. The state’s senior senator, outgoing Democrat Herb Kohl, continues to support both nominees. In some states, only the senior senator nominates those judges. But for years, Wisconsin has used a commission made up of members appointed by each senator, the State Bar, and the U-W and Marquette law schools. Johnson’s office says neither Wisconsin senator has appointed new members to that panel.
Butler and Nourse are among 45 federal court nominees which are being held up for various reasons. Nourse would replace appellate judge Terence Evans, who remains on semi-retired senior status. Butler would take the vacant seat once held by the retired Madison district judge John Shabaz.
