This morning, the Senate returned to the president five controversial nominations to federal Circuit courts. The Senate failed to reach a unanimous consent agreement extending the nominations beyond the August recess, meaning that if the President wishes to continue to pursue them, he must renominate the rejected nominees after the recess. The nominees returned were:
- Terrance Boyle (nominated to the 4th Circuit)
- William Haynes (4th Cir.)
- William Myers (9th Cir.)
- N. Randy Smith (9th Cir.)
- Michael Wallace (5th Cir.)
Haynes has come under recent scrutiny for his role in approving harsh interrogation techniques as General Counsel at the Pentagon, while the ABA unanimously declared Wallace "unqualified" for the federal bench.