Who has the power to nominate Supreme Court justices?

The power to nominate Supreme Court justices lies with the President of the United States. This authority is granted by the Constitution, specifically in Article II, Section 2, which states that the President "shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and Judges of the Supreme Court." This appointment process involves the President selecting individuals to fill vacancies on the Supreme Court, after which the nominees must be confirmed by the Senate.

The Senate does not have the power to initiate nominations; rather, its role is to provide consent or denial of the nominee put forth by the President. The House of Representatives does not play a direct role in the nomination process either. Additionally, while the Chief Justice is an important figure in the Supreme Court, his or her role does not include nominating justices; instead, the Chief Justice may participate in judicial decisions and court administration.

Therefore, the understanding of the nomination process emphasizes the executive power of the President, particularly in the context of judicial appointments, solidifying the structural balance of power among the branches of the government.