In a rare display of bipartisan accord, Representatives Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Lou Correa (D-Calif.) are calling on President Joe Biden to rethink his stance on the veto of the JUDGES Act. The bill aims to amend the number of federal judgeships for the first time in decades in a bid to ease the burdens currently faced by the federal court system. The legislation had gained traction in both chambers of Congress, passing the Senate unanimously in August and clearing the House earlier this month with a substantial majority. The House vote saw 236 votes in favor against 173, highlighting a broad base of support crossing party lines.
The JUDGES Act proposes to introduce 66 new federal district judgeships across various courts over the next decade. This plan includes assigning 63 permanent and three temporary positions to courts identified by the judiciary as needing support. This would mark the first significant expansion of the federal judiciary since 1990, a period when Biden himself had been a proponent of increasing the number of judgeships while serving as a Delaware senator.
Representatives Issa and Correa emphasized their case for the additional judgeships in a letter to President Biden, labeling the act of supplementing the federal judiciary as a “national imperative” rather than a partisan issue. The bill has also received backing from numerous federal judges who argue that any failure to pass this legislation risks leading to further litigation delays. The demands and workloads in many courts have reportedly outpaced the current number of available judges, making these reinforcements essential to ensuring timely justice.
Despite this support, the White House made it clear before the House vote that President Biden intends to veto the measure. The administration described the proposed legislation as “unnecessary to the efficient and effective administration of justice.” The veto plan coincided with a shift in the political landscape; Democrats withdrew their leader’s backing following Donald Trump’s election victory, concerned that the legislation’s timing would allow Republican leadership to appoint the first batch of new judges.
Both lawmakers cited direct feedback from federal judges who expressed a pressing need for additional judgeships. Chief Judge Dolly Gee from California’s Central District Court is among those who stressed the urgent requirement for more judicial help to manage current caseloads. Representative Issa appealed directly to Biden, suggesting that his legacy would be better served by supporting the judiciary rather than obstructing its assistance, potentially for reasons tied to election outcomes.
The full article with further details can be accessed at Bloomberg Law.