House Passes JUDGES Act for 66 New Judgeships, Faces Biden Veto Amid Trump's Re-election

Dec 12, 2024, 05:15 PM

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved (JUDGES) Act, which aims to add 66 new district court judgeships to address judicial backlogs. This legislation, which had previously passed the Senate unanimously, now faces a veto threat from President Joe Biden. The bill was designed to distribute the appointment of new judges over several presidential terms, with 22 of the judgeships to be filled by President-elect Donald Trump during his next term. Despite initial bipartisan support, the political landscape shifted after Trump's re-election, leading to opposition from many Democrats, who argue that the timing of the House vote was politically motivated. The White House contends that the bill is unnecessary for the efficient administration of justice and that it would create judgeships in states where senators have sought to hold open existing judicial vacancies.