
President Biden’s veto of the JUDGES Act sparks controversy and shifts focus to immigration legislation.
At a Glance
- Biden vetoed the bipartisan JUDGES Act, which aimed to add 66 new federal district judgeships
- The bill passed the Senate unanimously but faced opposition from most House Democrats
- Republicans are now focusing on confirming Trump-era judicial nominees and passing immigration bills
- The veto comes amid increasing case filings and judicial workload demands
- New immigration bills aim to increase penalties for criminal offenses by illegal aliens
Biden’s Unexpected Veto and Its Implications
In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden has vetoed the JUDGES Act of 2024, a bipartisan bill that proposed the creation of 66 new federal district judgeships. The bill, which passed the Senate unanimously in August and cleared the House with a 236-173 vote, was designed to address the growing backlog in the federal judiciary system. The last authorization for new district judgeships occurred over two decades ago, despite a significant increase in case filings.
The White House’s decision to veto the bill has left many in the legal community perplexed, as organizations representing judges and attorneys had strongly supported the measure. These groups cited severe delays in case resolutions and compromised access to justice as primary reasons for the necessary expansion of the federal judiciary.
The Political Chessboard: Judicial Appointments and Elections
The JUDGES Act was carefully crafted to distribute the new judgeships over more than a decade, allowing three presidential administrations and six Congresses to appoint judges. This structure was intended to ensure a fair and balanced approach to judicial appointments. However, the bill would have given former President Trump 25 judicial nominations, adding to over 100 expected vacancies in the next four years.
“Unfortunately, we are back where we have always been every time a bill to create new judgeships comes before Congress — with one party seeking a tactical advantage over the other.” – Rep. Jerry Nadler
Biden’s decision to veto the bill came after Vice President Kamala Harris lost the 2024 presidential election. The President cited concerns about the true motivations behind the bill, suggesting that its passage was no longer in good faith given the changed political landscape.
Republicans Shift Focus to Immigration and Judicial Confirmations
In response to Biden’s veto, Republicans are pivoting their strategy. They are now concentrating on addressing the border crisis and the backlog in criminal cases against illegal aliens. The Republican-controlled House is advancing legislation such as the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act, which aims to increase deportation penalties for illegal aliens convicted of sex offenses or domestic abuse.
Another piece of legislation gaining traction is the Laken Riley Act, which has already passed in the House and is set for a Senate vote. This act prioritizes the deportation of criminal illegal aliens, addressing a growing concern among conservative voters. The urgency of these measures is underscored by the staggering statistic that over 1.4 million illegal aliens with active deportation orders currently reside in the United States.
The Judicial Landscape and Future Appointments
To alleviate the judicial burden in the absence of new judgeships, Republicans plan to expedite the confirmation of Trump’s judicial appointees. During his first term, Trump appointed 234 federal judges, and if re-elected, he could potentially surpass the totals of recent two-term presidents.
“Make no mistake folks, the sudden opposition to this bill from my friends on the other side of the aisle is nothing more than childish foot-stomping.” – Rep. Troy Nehls
The veto of the JUDGES Act has intensified the partisan divide over judicial appointments and immigration policy. As the federal courts continue to grapple with increasing caseloads, the focus has shifted to immediate legislative actions and potential judicial appointments in the next administration. The coming months will likely see heightened debate over these issues as both parties position themselves for the upcoming election cycle.
Sources:
- US judiciary’s leadership laments Biden’s veto of bill to add judges | Reuters
- House Republicans pass bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but White House says Biden would veto it | PBS News
- GOP Pushes to Hold Migrant Criminals Accountable After Biden Vetoes Bill to Add Judges