President Biden’s veto of the JUDGES Act sparks GOP backlash and renewed focus on immigration reform.
At a Glance
- House passed bill to add 66 new federal judgeships; Biden threatens veto
- Bill initially had bipartisan support, passing Senate unanimously
- GOP accuses Biden of political motivations for veto
- Republicans shift focus to immigration reform and judicial appointments
- New legislation aims to increase deportation penalties for criminal illegal aliens
Biden’s Veto Threatens Judicial Expansion
The House of Representatives recently passed a bill to add 66 new federal district judgeships, a move aimed at addressing the overwhelming caseload burdening the judiciary. However, the White House has indicated that President Biden would veto the legislation, sparking controversy and criticism from Republicans. The bill, known as the JUDGES Act of 2024, initially enjoyed bipartisan support and passed the Senate unanimously in August.
The House vote was 236-173, with most Democrats opposing the bill. The legislation proposed distributing the new judgeships over more than a decade, allowing three presidential administrations and six Congresses to appoint judges. This approach was designed to ensure a fair and balanced distribution of judicial appointments across different administrations.
GOP Accuses Biden of Political Maneuvering
Republicans have strongly criticized Biden’s decision to veto the JUDGES Act, accusing him of putting politics ahead of the needs of the federal judiciary. They argue that the president’s change of heart came after Vice President Kamala Harris lost the 2024 presidential election, suggesting that Biden’s motivations are purely political.
“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 said.
The last authorization for new district judgeships occurred over 20 years ago, despite a significant increase in case filings. The Judicial Conference of the United States, the policymaking body for the federal courts, has repeatedly recommended new judgeships to meet the growing workload demands.
GOP Shifts Focus to Immigration Reform
In response to Biden’s veto threat, Republicans are pivoting their focus to address the border crisis and the backlog of criminal cases against illegal aliens. The GOP-controlled House is advancing the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act, which aims to increase deportation penalties for illegal aliens convicted of sex offenses or domestic abuse.
Additionally, the Laken Riley Act, designed to prioritize the deportation of criminal illegal aliens, has passed in the House and is set for a Senate vote. These legislative efforts reflect the Republican strategy to tackle both judicial backlogs and immigration reform simultaneously.
Republicans Plan to Accelerate Judicial Appointments
With the JUDGES Act stalled, Republicans are planning to alleviate the judicial burden by confirming as many of Trump’s judicial appointees as possible. During his first term, Trump appointed 234 federal judges, and if re-elected, he could potentially surpass the totals of recent two-term presidents.
“For the hour we’re taking for something we should have done before the mid-term elections,” Rep. Darrell Issa commented, highlighting the urgency of addressing the judicial backlog.
