Congressional records and news reports

House Passes JUDGES Act to Add 66 Judgeships, Faces Biden's Veto Threat

Dec 12, 2024, 03:57 PM

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act (JUDGES Act) with a vote of 236-173, which aims to add 66 new judgeships to federal district courts across 13 states over the next decade. This legislation, which was initially supported by both parties, has now encountered opposition from President Joe Biden, who has threatened to veto the bill. The bill passed the Senate unanimously in August but has become a point of contention following Donald Trump's election victory. The White House argues that the bill is unnecessary for the efficient administration of justice, while House Democrats have criticized the timing of the vote, suggesting it's politically motivated to benefit Trump's future judicial appointments. Despite the bipartisan support the bill once enjoyed, the political landscape has shifted, with 29 Democrats voting in favor and 2 Republicans against. This would mark the first major expansion of the federal judiciary since 1990, during Biden's final month in office.