President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) and other Democrats have made a concerted effort over the past two years to seat as many federal judges as possible, and this week they could declare victory, having confirmed the most judges in a single Congress since 1980. But this strategy — based on the political calculus that lifetime judicial appointments will have greater, longer impact than executive branch nominees — means some federal agencies will still face serious gaps during Obama’s remaining time in office.Read full article >>