# Senate majority gains power over federal courts

> Control of judicial appointments shifts as the new Senate takes office in 2026.
- Title: Senate majority gains power over federal courts · NPR
- Summary: Control of judicial appointments shifts as the new Senate takes office in 2026. The new Senate majority in 2026 gains significant control over federal…
- Keywords: senate, federal judiciary, judicial appointments, senate majority, 2026, NPR
- Source: NPR — https://npr.org/2026/11/07/nx-s1-6032757/how-the-new-senate-majority-shifts-control-over-the-federal-judiciary
- Published: 2026-11-07T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: senate, federal judiciary, judicial appointments, senate majority, 2026, politics, news
## New Senate takes control of courts
The new Senate majority gains significant power over the federal judiciary through its role in confirming judicial appointments.
## What the shift means
Control over federal court appointments moves to the new Senate majority, shaping the judiciary's direction for years to come.
## Impact on the bench
The Senate majority's power to confirm judges will influence federal court decisions across the country going forward.
## Key takeaway

The new Senate majority in 2026 gains significant control over federal judicial appointments through the confirmation process.