The House passed a bill on Thursday authorizing 63 new permanent district judgeships over the next 10 years, with 21 to be filled by President-elect Trump during his next term. The White House stated that President Biden would veto the bill if it reached his desk.
In August, the Senate approved the 'Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act' or the 'JUDGES Act of 2024.' This legislation staggers the creation of the new judgeships, with the president able to appoint 11 in 2025, 11 in 2027, 10 in 2029, 11 in 2031, 10 in 2033, and 10 in 2035. The bill aims to address the heavy caseloads burdening the courts.
