Who appoints federal judges and how are they nominated?

Supreme Court justices, court of appeals judges, and district court judges are nominated by senators or members of the house from the president’s political party. From that group of potential candidates, one is chosen by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate, as stated in the Constitution. The Senate Judiciary Committee typically conducts confirmation hearings for each nominee. Article III of the Constitution states that these judicial officers are appointed for a life term. The federal Judiciary, the Judicial Conference of the United States, and the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts play no role in the nomination and confirmation process.