In a pivotal move, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a controversial bill to expand the federal judiciary by 66 judges—the first significant expansion since 1990. The legislation, once a bipartisan rallying point, now faces sharp political divides and a looming veto from outgoing President Joe Biden.
The bill, dubbed the JUDGES Act, aims to tackle mounting caseloads in 25 federal district courts across 13 states, including judicial hotspots like California, Florida, and Texas. It proposes phased appointments through 2035, addressing a 30% surge in federal cases since the last major judiciary reform.
While the Senate unanimously passed the measure earlier this year, the timing of the House vote has drawn intense scrutiny. Democratic lawmakers have accused Republicans of delaying the vote until after the November 5 election, ensuring President-elect Donald Trump would oversee the appointment of the initial wave of judges.
Biden’s administration has decried the maneuver, with the White House citing political gamesmanship as a primary reason for his veto threat. House Republicans, however, defended the legislation as a crucial step to bolster judicial efficiency. “This is about ensuring our courts can deliver fair and timely justice,” said Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Supporters of the bill, including hundreds of judges, argue that it’s a long-overdue response to an overburdened judiciary. U.S. District Judge Robert Conrad praised the measure, calling it a necessary reform to improve access to justice nationwide.
Yet, the partisan rift deepened with accusations from Democratic Representative Jerrold Nadler, who criticized Republicans for breaking a pre-election promise to keep the process neutral. Nadler warned that the delay hands Trump the opportunity to appoint judges he described as “ultra-conservative ideologues.”
The stakes are high: Trump, during his first term, reshaped the judiciary with 234 appointments, including three Supreme Court justices. Another term could further cement his influence on the federal bench. Meanwhile, Biden’s total judicial appointments—233 to date—are nearing parity, underscoring the significance of the judiciary’s role in shaping American law.
As the nation watches, the fate of the judiciary expansion bill remains uncertain, with political calculations overshadowing what was once a bipartisan cause.
