Sonia sotomayor biography interview outline

After a bruising battle over Brett Kavanaugh's nomination, the highest court in the land once again has a full bench.

There have been several times over the past two years when the Supreme Court had fewer than nine justices.

Sonia sotomayor biography interview outline

First, there was a gap in 2016 after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. The court had only eight justices for more than a year as Democrats and Republicans fought over whether then-President Barack Obama's pick would be confirmed during an election year.

That drama ended with Obama's nominee, Merrick Garland, being refused confirmation hearings.

Obama's successor, President Donald Trump, then nominated Neil Gorsuch, who was confirmed in April 2017.

The court's latest vacancy came after Justice Anthony Kennedy announced that he would retire this summer, providing Trump with a second opportunity in as many years to appoint a justice to the bench.

In October