President Biden faces mounting pressure over federal judicial appointments after a controversial House vote.
According to Fox News, the House of Representatives passed the JUDGES Act on Thursday, authorizing 63 new permanent district judgeships over the next decade, with 22 positions potentially going to President-elect Trump's appointees.
The legislation, officially titled "Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act," received bipartisan support in its initial Senate passage this August. The bill aims to address the heavy caseloads burdening federal courts by implementing a staggered appointment system spanning from 2025 to 2035.
The House approved the measure with a 236-173 vote, including support from 29 Democrats, despite the White House's explicit veto threat. The administration's stance marks a significant shift from earlier Democratic support for the legislation, which emerged when different electoral expectations prevailed.
House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the bill's previous bipartisan nature, pointing to its unanimous Senate passage in August. Johnson stated:
Today, the House passed the JUDGES Act to authorize additional federal judges to ensure the American people receive timely and fair justice. This important legislation garnered broad, bipartisan support when it unanimously passed the Senate in August because it directly addresses the pressing need to reduce case backlogs in our federal courts and strengthen the efficiency of our judicial system.
The timing of the House vote has become a point of contention, with Democrats criticizing the delay until after Election Day. Representative Hank Johnson, the bill's former Democratic co-sponsor, withdrew his support, citing concerns about the post-election timing.
The Biden administration released a strong statement opposing the legislation, characterizing it as unnecessary for effective judicial administration. Their criticism focused on existing judicial vacancies and questioned the timing of the bill's consideration.
The White House highlighted concerns about states where senators have deliberately kept judicial positions unfilled. They also questioned whether the bill adequately considered the impact of senior status judges and magistrate judges on the judiciary's workload.
The administration's statement emphasized that rushing to add judges in the final weeks of the 118th Congress would leave crucial questions about judicial allocation unresolved. This stance represents a significant departure from earlier Democratic positions on judicial expansion.
The proposed legislation outlines a specific timeline for judicial appointments, with 11 positions to be filled in 2025 and 2027, followed by 10 appointments in 2029. The pattern continues with 11 appointments in 2031 and 10 each in 2033 and 2035.
Senator Todd Young, the bill's Republican co-sponsor, continues to advocate for its implementation. He urged President Biden to support the legislation, citing widespread backing from legal organizations across the country.
The JUDGES Act's passage in the House represents a significant development in the ongoing debate over federal judicial appointments, with President Biden threatening to veto legislation that would create 63 new district judgeships over ten years. The bill's fate now hangs in the balance as it moves forward amid strong opposition from the White House and changing Democratic support.
The controversy centers on the timing of the House vote after Trump's presidential win and its potential impact on judicial appointments, with 22 positions potentially becoming available during his next term. The situation highlights the complex interplay between political dynamics and judicial administration as both parties navigate the implications of court expansion and judicial staffing.
