Trump needs this.
On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a key piece of legislation aimed at addressing severe backlogs in the federal judiciary. The bill, known as the “JUDGES Act of 2024,” authorizes the creation of 63 new permanent district judgeships over the next decade. Notably, 22 of these positions will be available for President Trump to fill during his next term in office, should he be re-elected.
The legislation was first introduced in the Senate in August and gained broad bipartisan support, passing the upper chamber without opposition. The bill aims to ease the mounting caseloads in federal courts by gradually adding judges over the next 10 years. Under the proposal, 11 judgeships would be created in 2025, another 11 in 2027, 10 more in 2029, 11 in 2031, and the final 10 in 2033 and 2035. These new appointments are essential to ensuring that Americans receive timely and fair justice.
However, despite its initial bipartisan backing, the bill now faces significant resistance from Democrats. The White House released a statement earlier this week threatening a veto if the bill reaches President Biden’s desk. While judicial staffing is essential, the administration argued that the bill is “unnecessary” and pointed to existing vacancies that have yet to be filled as evidence of a lack of urgency. The White House also criticized the timing of the bill, noting that it was passed by the Senate in August but only taken up by the House after Election Day.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., defended the legislation, emphasizing that it is crucial for reducing the backlog of cases and improving the efficiency of the judiciary. “This bill addresses the pressing need for more judges to ensure fair, impartial, and timely justice for all Americans,” Johnson said. He also pointed out the inconsistency in Democratic opposition, noting that many Democrats initially supported the bill before the election, believing Kamala Harris would secure the presidency.
Democratic Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia, a co-sponsor of the bill, now opposes the measure, arguing that Republicans are “picking the horse after the race has already been won.” Despite this, 29 Democrats voted in favor of the legislation in the House, underscoring the continued bipartisan support for judicial reform.
Senator Todd Young, R-Ind., who co-sponsored the bill in the Senate, urged President Biden to sign the legislation into law, pointing to widespread backing from legal organizations and advocates. “The American people deserve a functioning judicial system that delivers justice without undue delay,” Young said in a statement following the vote.
The JUDGES Act is a necessary step in addressing the strained resources of the federal courts and ensuring that justice is served efficiently and fairly. Republicans have called on President Biden to put aside partisan politics and prioritize the needs of the American people by supporting this much-needed judicial reform.