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Politics

Boston.com

Timeline of a judicial position left vacant

Globe Staff

  March 10, 2013

John Roberts, Peter Kelsler and Caitlin Halligan.

Associated press; New York Times (right)

John Roberts, Peter Kelsler and Caitlin Halligan.

Sept. 29, 2005: John Roberts (above left) is confirmed for the Supreme Court, leaving his former position as a judge on the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

June 29, 2006: President George W. Bush nominates Peter Keisler (above center) to take the seat.

Aug. 1, 2006: The Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing on the nomination.

Sept. 29, 2006: The Republican-controlled Senate returns the nomination to the president without action, and adjourns the next day for the midterm elections.

Nov. 15, 2006: Bush again nominates Keisler.

Dec. 9, 2006: The Senate again returns the nomination to Bush, without acting on the nomination.

Jan. 9, 2007: Bush again nominates Keisler, under a new Senate now controlled by Democrats. The Senate Judiciary Committee never acts on the nomination.

Jan 20, 2009: President Obama is sworn into office for his first term.

Sept. 29, 2010: Obama nominates Caitlin Halligan (above right) to take the seat that Roberts held on the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Dec. 22, 2010: The Senate returns the nomination to Obama, having taken no action.

Jan. 5, 2011: Obama again nominates Halligan.

Feb. 2, 2011: The Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing on her nomination.

March 10, 2011: The Senate Judiciary Committee votes, 10 to 8, approving her nomination.

Dec. 6, 2011: The Senate votes 54 to 45, to shut off debate and move to a floor vote on her nomination. Because 60 votes are needed, it failed by six votes.

Dec. 17, 2011: The nomination of Halligan is returned to the president.

June 11, 2012: Obama again nominates Halligan.

Aug. 3, 2012: After two votes to shut off debate fail, Halligan’s nomination is again returned to Obama.

Sept. 19, 2012: Obama nominates her again.

Jan. 2, 2013: The nomination is returned to Obama.

Jan. 3, 2013: Obama nominates Halligan again.

Feb. 14, 2013: The Senate Judiciary Committee approves Halligan’s nomination by a 10-to-7 vote.

March 6, 2013: The Senate votes, 51 to 41 to shut off debate and move to a floor vote on her nomination. Because 60 votes are needed, it failed by nine votes.

MATT VISER