Staff Reports
President Joe Biden has put a giant veto stamp on a bipartisan bill aimed at pumping 66 new federal judges into the system, citing concerns that seem more about politics than the pressing need for more judges. Dubbed the JUDGES Act, this proposal, which surprisingly sailed through the Senate with unanimous support back in August, has been snubbed by the President, who claims the timing of the legislation is suspect, especially following Donald Trump’s resounding electoral victory.
The White House asserts that the motives behind the JUDGES Act are not as noble as they appear. It suggests that the true reason for the bill’s introduction is tied to recent elections rather than an actual judicial backlog. Apparently, creating judgeships in states with open vacancies is just a crafty way to combat what they see as perceived judicial partisanship. One has to wonder if the President is more concerned about the judicial landscape being reshaped by a Republican administration than about the countless Americans facing lengthy waits for their day in court.
Meanwhile, there’s a twinkling of irony in the Democrats’ shift—having initially backed the bill, they are now pulling their support faster than their voters after hearing the latest policy proposal. Notably, Rep. Jerry Nadler went on a political tirade, claiming that the timing of the bill was simply a GOP ploy to give Trump even more power. Apparently, he thinks that introducing judges at a measured pace over several administrations is akin to inviting a fox into the henhouse.
However, House Republicans, unperturbed by the Democratic drama, stand firmly behind the bill. Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan argues that it is the right thing to do. With an alarming backlog of nearly 750,000 cases lingering in federal courts, one has to ask why the President would choose to block a pathway toward judicial relief. Speaker Mike Johnson also emphasized that this proposal would provide the opportunity for input from Democrats in judicial nominations, which should be a welcome change for bipartisan harmony.
The Senate overwhelming passed the bill to add 66 Federal Judges. Then President Trump won the election. They never thought Biden would lose. Biden plans veto of bill adding new judges after Trump victory https://t.co/kWo3lz07sw via @dcexaminer
— Patriotic 🇺🇸Suzanne⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@suzost) December 11, 2024
Contrary to Biden’s narrative, this bill could indeed set the stage for a bright judicial future under the next administration. Rep. Chip Roy expressed optimism that if Congress revives this legislation next year with a Republican in the Oval Office, it could lead to a judicial train with many more cars than Biden might want. With a Republican majority locked in, there’s a good chance the next Congress will navigate this bill across the finish line, potentially giving Trump an even larger judicial arsenal to fill if he’s reinstated in power.
Finally, while Biden may think he’s playing chess, many observers see it as a sign of political cowardice. A full 300 judges have warned that the existing caseload is eroding public confidence in the judicial system, yet the White House remains obstinate. As the JUDGES Act sits poised for another go in the new Congress under better Republican odds, one can’t help but chuckle at how the Democrats might regret their lackluster efforts to sideline judicial expansion when it could have benefited countless Americans seeking justice.
