Washington

By Karen Tumulty/Washington

The White House was surprised last week when Chief Justice WILLIAM REHNQUIST, a Republican of impeccable conservative credentials, criticized the Senate for moving so slowly in confirming the President's nominees to the federal courts. Democrats have been trying for months to spark public anger over the vacancies (now up to 82, about 1 out of 10 judgeships), only to have Senate Republicans lay the problem on Clinton's "activist" choices. Now, with Rehnquist blaming the Senate, Clinton is stepping up the pressure. When Judiciary chairman ORRIN HATCH returns to Washington, he will find as many as 20 more nominations joining the 42 already pending. The White House is not overly optimistic about this plan. G.O.P. Senators are still mad over Clinton's end-run appointment of BILL LANN LEE as acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, and Congress is moving into an election year, not usually a season of bipartisan goodwill.

--By Karen Tumulty/Washington