the president can appoint federal judges with the approval of what??

Answer 1

Yes, the Senate. The constitutional says the executive appoints with the "advice and consent" of the senate. In the good 'ol days the Senate was not popularly elected but was appointed by the state legislatures (2 from each state--sort of like the House of Lords in the English system). In any event the idea was to better insulate the judiciary from the will of the "masses" because the Founding Fathers knew that the courts would be called upon to protect the interests of minority groups and to make unpopular decisions. They were smart guys.

Answer 2

The Senate. They hold hearings and question him, then put it to a vote.

Sue