The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill on Thursday to expand the federal judiciary, proposing the addition of 66 judges to federal district courts across 13 states. The legislation passed with a 236-173 vote but faces resistance from outgoing Democratic President Joe Biden, who has signaled a potential veto, according to Reuters.
The bill, which has bipartisan support, outlines a phased implementation that would culminate in 2035. Key jurisdictions such as California, Florida, and Texas are among the states slated to receive additional judges. While the Senate, controlled by Democrats, passed the bill earlier this year, the House delayed a vote until after the Nov. 5 presidential election, in which Republican Donald Trump emerged victorious.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) championed the measure, emphasizing the need to address rising federal caseloads, which have increased by 30% since the judiciary’s last expansion. “This should not be a political issue – it should be about prioritizing the needs of the American people and ensuring the courts are able to deliver fair, impartial, and timely justice,” Johnson said in a statement.
However, opposition remains strong among Democrats. Only 29 House Democrats supported the bill, reflecting deep partisan divides over judicial appointments. Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, accused Republicans of “political gamesmanship” for delaying the vote until after the election. Nadler also voiced concerns about Trump’s influence over judicial appointments, given his record of nominating 234 federal judges, including three Supreme Court justices, during his first term.
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The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts reports 47 current vacancies in the federal judiciary, with an additional 20 expected soon. As of October, Biden has 28 judicial nominees awaiting Senate confirmation. Progressive organizations, such as Demand Justice, have urged Senate Democrats to expedite judicial confirmations before the new administration takes office in January.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) echoed this urgency, telling the New York Times: “We are going to get as many done as we can.”
The debate over judicial appointments has even extended to the Supreme Court. According to Politico, Senate Democrats are considering whether to encourage Justice Sonia Sotomayor to retire during the lame-duck session, potentially allowing Biden to nominate her successor before Trump assumes office.
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The bill’s future remains uncertain as Biden’s opposition threatens to stall its progress. Critics argue that the legislation could provide Trump with greater control over the federal judiciary, raising concerns about the long-term implications of his appointments.
With the transition to a new administration underway, the judiciary’s expansion and its political ramifications are likely to remain at the forefront of legislative and public discourse.
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