With the confirmation of Wilson, Republicans also reached a benchmark vigorously pursued by [McConnell]: For the first time in more than four decades, there are no longer any vacancies on the nation’s appeals courts, the judicial level where most of the major rulings are handed down.
Wilson, 49, a state appeals court judge and former state legislator, became the 53rd circuit court judge nominated by Trump and steered to confirmation by McConnell, the driving force behind the GOP push to reshape the judiciary, who has adopted the mantra of ‘no vacancy left behind.’
By contrast, at the end of his eight years, President Barack Obama had 55 Senate-confirmed circuit judges.
