BLT reports Senator Leahy has introduced legislation to create nearly 50 new federal judgeships — nine appellate and 38 district seats — and three temporary appellate seats. Such legislation was expected. Senator Leahy had introduced a similar bill last year and the Judicial Conference has recommended creating new seats. Yet because the bill would take effect immediately upon passage, thereby guaranteeing the sitting president additional vacancies to fill, no Republican Senators have signed on. There are already 90 judicial vacancies, only a fraction of which have pending nominees.