Senators Kohl and Feingold activate Wisconsin Federal
Nominating Commission
U.S. Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold have announced the
activation of an 11-member Federal Nominating Commission responsible for
making recommendations for the federal judgeship vacancy in the Western
District of Wisconsin and the U.S. Attorney vacancy in the Eastern
District of Wisconsin. Members of the commission serve two-year terms.
The commission helps the senators fulfill their constitutional duty to
advise the president on federal nominations.
“For 30 years, Wisconsin has had a tradition of using
independent panels to help senators recommend candidates for federal
appointments. The fair and independent advice we receive from the
commission is an invaluable part of our vetting process for federal
nominations. I look forward to hearing the recommendations from this
distinguished group,” Kohl said.
“Wisconsin has a model system for the way we handle judicial
appointments,” Feingold said. “The system has worked well
for 30 years and continues to ensure public confidence in the nominating
process.”
The commission charter details the number of members each senator may
appoint based on the political party of the senators and the president.
Kohl nominated Stephen Glynn and Nathan Fishbach, both of Milwaukee,
Christine Bremer Muggli, of Wausau, and Michelle Behnke, of Madison, to
the commission; Feingold nominated Ken Calewarts of Green Bay, Chuck
Curtis of Madison, Peg Lautenschlager of Fond du Lac, and Harvey Temkin
of Madison. The commission is chaired by the dean of Marquette
University law school for the Eastern district vacancy and by the dean
of the University of Wisconsin law school for the Western district
vacancy. The commission is rounded out by two members chosen by the
State Bar of Wisconsin, Susan Hansen of Milwaukee and Thomas Sleik of La
Crosse.
Use of a Federal Nominating Commission to recommend choices for
vacancies in the federal judicial system dates back to 1979, when it was
instituted by Wisconsin Senators Gaylord Nelson and William
Proxmire.
