House passes JUDGES Act despite Biden’s veto threat over Trump appointees
The House of Representatives recently passed a bipartisan bill that authorizes the creation of 63 new permanent district judgeships over the next decade. Out of these positions, 22 can be filled by President-elect Donald Trump during his upcoming term. The bill, known as the “Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act” or the “JUDGES Act of 2024,” aims to address the heavy caseloads burdening the courts by staggering the appointment of these new judgeships.
The Senate had previously approved the bill in August, with provisions outlining the allocation of these new judgeships over the next 10 years. The president is expected to appoint 11 permanent judgeships in 2025, followed by 11 more in 2027. Subsequently, the president would appoint 10 judges in 2029, 11 in 2031, 10 in 2033, and another 10 in 2035. The bill seeks to streamline the judicial system and ensure the timely and fair delivery of justice.
However, the White House announced that President Biden would veto the bill if it reached his desk, citing concerns about the timing of the legislation and its potential impact on the judicial system. Key Democrats have also distanced themselves from the bill following Trump’s victory in the presidential election, criticizing the rushed nature of the bill’s passage after Election Day.
In a statement, House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the importance of the JUDGES Act in addressing the backlog of cases in federal courts and enhancing the efficiency of the judicial system. He expressed disappointment in the Biden-Harris administration’s veto threat and the Democratic opposition to the bill, attributing it to partisan politics rather than the needs of the American people.
Despite the pushback from Democrats, the bill passed the House with a vote of 236 to 173, with 29 Democrats supporting it. Rep. Hank Johnson, the bill’s Democratic co-sponsor, reversed his position on the measure, highlighting the contentious nature of the legislation.
Senators Chris Coons and Todd Young, who co-sponsored the bill in the Senate, urged President Biden to reconsider his stance and sign the JUDGES Act into law. They emphasized the bipartisan support for the bill and its potential to address the shortage of federal judges and alleviate delays in the judicial system.
As the situation continues to evolve, updates on the bill’s progress will be provided. For breaking news and political updates, stay tuned to Fox News Digital. Danielle Wallace, a reporter covering breaking news and politics, can be reached at danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter at @danimwallace.
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