The refusal of the Senate to hold hearings for Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland plus the proceedings of numerous previous confirmation procedures (Clarence Thomas in particular) make it clear that confirmation of a nominee is a highly politicized process. This raises the question, examined somewhat by Epstein and Walker, of the extent to which political orientation affects the decisions of particular justices.

Based on the above, what extent to which justices appointed by the Presidents of the same party vote together and the extent to which the ideal of “judicial independence” (justices not being beholden to the political views of those who appointed them) is realized.