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Washington, D.C. – Wisconsin’s two US Senators have reached an agreement that could pave the way to fill key state vacancies on the federal bench after a lengthy partisan impasse in the confirmation process. The new system gives Republican Sen. Ron Johnson more say in the process than he had under the old system. Vacancies include Wisconsin’s designated seat on the Seventh Circuit US Court of Appeals in Chicago and other federal judgeships. The new agreement between Democrat Tammy Baldwin and Republican Johnson alters the makeup of a state nominating commission long used by Wisconsin senators to screen applicants for federal judge and US Attorney and recommend finalists for the White House to choose from.

Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson have agreed to establish a six-member commission to recommend candidates for filling federal judicial vacancies in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Federal Nominating Commission will be responsible for advising the senators on nominees to serve on the U.S. District Court and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The panel also will consider candidates to serve as U.S. attorney for the eastern and western districts of the state. The senators chose three members each from the Wisconsin State Bar to serve on the commission. Baldwin appointed Michelle Behnke, a past president of the state bar; Frederic Fleishauer, a former Portage County circuit judge; and Barbara Zack Quindel, a labor lawyer. Johnson named William Curran, with Curran, Hollenbeck; Orton, S.C.; Richard Esenberg, president and general counsel at the Wisconsin Institute for Law; Liberty; and Paul Swanson, a partner in the Oshkosh firm of Steinhilber, Swanson, Mares, Marone & McDermott. Baldwin, D-Madison, who last November became the first woman from Wisconsin and first openly gay person to be elected to the Senate, said filling judicial vacancies has been a top priority since she was sworn in in January.

Senator Ron Johnson was in the Northwoods last week, visiting area businesses to talk about what he foresees in the area of economic climate. Johnson made stops at the Phillips Medisize facility and then went on to Flambeau River Papers in Park Falls. Johnson, who has been in office for two years, admitted that things are in chaos in Washington – especially in the area of finances and he noted that the biggest problem is that the lawmakers seem to be in denial. “They aren't calling it that – but I will – our government is functionally bankrupt,” Johnson said. “So, what do we do? We have the printing presses so we just print some more “pretty money.”

MINNEAPOLIS - The third of three federal budgets will be handed in on Wednesday when President Barack Obama releases his federal, fiscal plan. The Republican-controlled House has already passed a budget and the Democratically-controlled Senate did too. That's the good news. There is bad news as well. "We see two different philosophies," U.S. Sen. Al Franken, a Minnesota Democrat, told KARE 11 last week. "Neither side is going away. Maybe it's time to govern," U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, a Republican from Wisconsin, said late last week in Hudson. Johnson was in Hudson delivering his federal budget power point speech to a packed room of business owners and everyday citizens last week. Franken was in St. Paul talking with college students about the federal budget and the affordability of higher education. Both were quite comfortable in their surroundings; as they've given these presentations dozens of times.