Sotomayor nomination

[glatt]

And it may be somewhat trivial, but they are actually tasked by law with making real substantive policy pertaining to the court system itself.

See for example Title 28 section 2072 of the United States Code.

The Supreme Court shall have the power to prescribe general rules of practice and procedure and rules of evidence for cases in the United States district courts (including proceedings before magistrate judges thereof) and courts of appeals.

An example of the most recent amendments to the Federal Rules ordered by the Supreme Court.