It is no longer enough for informed citizens to support the passage of laws that reflect their policy preferences. They must now also pay attention to the process by which judges are nominated and confirmed to ensure that those policy preferences are executed faithfully. While other executive and legislative enactments can be reversed, judges receive lifetime appointments. The decision to appoint or confirm a federal judge may shape policy for decades.

The Alliance for Justice's IndependentJudiciary.com offers detailed information on why nominations are important, nominees in your area, biographies of nominees and substantive reports on judges' records.

The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR) is one of the nation's leading civil rights organizations, and explains the importance of judicial nominations to people of color, and everyone who cares about civil rights. Through SaveOurCourts.org, LCCR offers links to the latest news on nominations.

People for the American Way (PFAW) provides analyses of the nominees' records, information on cases decided by some of President Bush's confirmed nominees and background on important issues such as Senate filibusters of nominations.

Earthjustice, a leading environmental group, maintains Judging the Environment, a site covering all aspects of the nominations process, with emphasis on environmental issues.

The Conservative Perspective

The Committee for Justice advocates for confirmation of President Bush's judicial nominees.

The Federalist Society has background information on nominations, including hearing transcripts.