In a significant move aimed at addressing the growing backlog in the U.S. federal courts, the House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday that would add 66 new judges to the federal judiciary. The legislation, known as the JUDGES Act, has sparked considerable debate and faces a veto threat from President Joe Biden, who has expressed opposition to the measure due to concerns over its political timing.
The bipartisan bill, which passed with a 236-173 vote in the Republican-controlled House, seeks to increase the number of trial court judges in 25 federal district courts across 13 states, including California, Florida, and Texas. The bill proposes adding judges in six waves, beginning in 2025 and continuing every two years until 2035.
Supporters of the bill, including hundreds of federal judges, have argued that the legislation is long overdue. Federal caseloads have surged more than 30% since Congress last passed a comprehensive judiciary expansion in 1990. In a rare move, many judges have publicly advocated for the bill, stressing the urgent need to improve access to justice and reduce delays in the judicial system.
While the measure initially garnered broad bipartisan support, the dynamics changed following the 2020 presidential election. The bill, which had been passed by the Democratic-led Senate earlier this year, was held up by House Republicans until after the election, fueling accusations of political maneuvering.
Democrats argue that the delay allowed the incoming Trump administration to appoint the first 25 judges, which they contend would further tilt the judicial system to the right. House Republicans, on the other hand, have defended the bill as a necessary step to ensure fair and timely justice, regardless of political affiliation.
“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,” said Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson in a statement following the vote.
The White House has made it clear that President Biden plans to veto the bill if it passes the Senate. A White House spokesperson reiterated this stance following the House vote, citing concerns over the political nature of the timing and the potential for partisan influence over judicial appointments.
U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, voiced strong objections to the bill, accusing Republicans of politicizing the judiciary. “By delaying the vote until after the election, Republicans broke a key promise to ensure that the initial appointments would not be determined by partisan politics,” Nadler said. “We cannot endorse allowing President Trump to appoint more ultra-conservative ideologues to the bench.”
If the bill were enacted, the first 25 judges would likely be appointed during the Trump administration, which has already seen over 200 judicial appointments, including three Supreme Court justices. Biden, nearing Trump’s total, has appointed 233 judges so far, including one Supreme Court justice. In addition, the Senate Judiciary Committee recently advanced two final judicial nominations out of California, signaling continued efforts to fill federal vacancies before the end of Biden’s term.
Despite the veto threat, supporters of the JUDGES Act remain optimistic that the bill will receive the necessary support to pass in the Senate, where it has already received a unanimous vote. Federal judges and legal advocates continue to push for the measure, arguing that it is critical to addressing the rising demand for judicial services and ensuring timely access to justice for Americans.
The passage of the JUDGES Act through the House represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over judicial appointments and the future of the U.S. federal courts. As the bill heads to the Senate, its fate remains uncertain, with both parties digging in for a contentious battle over the politicization of the judiciary and the future direction of the courts.
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