Final answer:
Under senatorial courtesy, a president consults with the senators from the nominee's state before formally nominating them for judicial appointment. Senators play a significant role, especially if they are from the president's party, and can block nominees. The Senate Judiciary Committee discusses the nominee, who must then be confirmed by the Senate's majority vote.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under the practice of senatorial courtesy, a president submits the name of a candidate for judicial appointment to the senators from the candidate's state before formally submitting it for full Senate approval. This custom allows senators to exert considerable influence on the selection of judges in their state, particularly if they are from the same political party as the president. It's common for a senator to block a nominee by simply voicing opposition. When it comes to the nomination of federal judges, including members of the United States Courts of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court, the president's nominee is discussed in the Senate Judiciary Committee and must be confirmed by a majority vote of the full Senate. The president typically chooses nominees from a list maintained by the American Bar Association and must obtain the advice and consent of the Senate according to Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution, which provides the Senate with the power to approve or deny judicial appointments.
While the Senate has traditionally confirmed the president's nominees, there have been instances where nominations were held up or rejected for various reasons. Controversial nominees have sometimes faced rigorous scrutiny during Senate hearings, and in some cases, the Senate has employed strategies such as refusing to hold hearings on a nominee, which can effectively block an appointment.