Summary
The JUDGES Act of 2025 aims to address significant backlogs in the federal court system by creating 63 new permanent district court judgeships and one temporary judgeship. These positions would be distributed across 14 states, including California, Texas, Florida, and New York, with the new seats being added gradually over a ten-year period starting in 2025. The bill also proposes expanding the physical locations where court is held in certain districts in Texas and California to make the legal system more accessible to local residents.
If enacted, this legislation would likely reduce the time citizens wait for their cases to be heard in federal court, ranging from civil lawsuits to criminal trials. By increasing the number of judges, the bill seeks to ensure that legal emergencies and routine litigation are handled more efficiently. Additionally, the bill would require new transparency measures, such as public reports on judicial caseloads and detention space, to help Congress monitor whether the court system has enough resources to meet public demand.
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Lifecycle of the Bill
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Mar 5, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 11.
Mar 5, 2025
HearingHouseMarkup
Mar 5, 2025 · 15:00
H.R. 1789, the Promptly Ending Political Prosecutions and Executive Retaliation Act; H.R. 1526, the No Rogue Rulings Act; H.R. 1702, the JUDGES Act of 2025; and H.R. 1605, the Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2025.
Summary
On March 5, 2025, the House Judiciary Committee held a markup session to consider four bills addressing federal courts and prosecutions. H.R. 1789 would allow current and former Presidents and Vice Presidents to move civil and criminal cases from state to federal courts and would establish legal immunity protections for federal officials. H.R. 1526 would restrict federal district courts from issuing nationwide injunctions, requiring a three-judge panel to approve broader injunctions in multi-state cases. H.R. 1702 would authorize 65 new permanent district court judgeships to be added between 2025 and 2035, addressing increased caseloads in federal courts. H.R. 1605 would change how courts review federal agency actions, requiring courts to examine agency interpretations of laws without deference to the agencies' positions. The committee voted on amendments to each bill. For H.R. 1789, three amendments offered by Democratic members failed. For H.R. 1702, one amendment failed. For H.R. 1526, one amendment passed and two failed. All four bills were reported favorably out of committee with amendments: H.R. 1789 by 14-11, H.R. 1526 by 14-9, H.R. 1702 by 16-11, and H.R. 1605 was also reported favorably. The votes reflected partisan divisions, with Republican support and Democratic opposition to most bills. These bills now advance to the full House for consideration, though passage is not guaranteed. The bills collectively reflect Republican priorities regarding executive branch protections, judicial authority limitations, and federal court resources.
Video
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Mar 5, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 11.
Mar 5, 2025
HearingHouseMarkup
Mar 5, 2025 · 15:00
H.R. 1789, the Promptly Ending Political Prosecutions and Executive Retaliation Act; H.R. 1526, the No Rogue Rulings Act; H.R. 1702, the JUDGES Act of 2025; and H.R. 1605, the Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2025.
Summary
On March 5, 2025, the House Judiciary Committee held a markup session to consider four bills addressing federal courts and prosecutions. H.R. 1789 would allow current and former Presidents and Vice Presidents to move civil and criminal cases from state to federal courts and would establish legal immunity protections for federal officials. H.R. 1526 would restrict federal district courts from issuing nationwide injunctions, requiring a three-judge panel to approve broader injunctions in multi-state cases. H.R. 1702 would authorize 65 new permanent district court judgeships to be added between 2025 and 2035, addressing increased caseloads in federal courts. H.R. 1605 would change how courts review federal agency actions, requiring courts to examine agency interpretations of laws without deference to the agencies' positions. The committee voted on amendments to each bill. For H.R. 1789, three amendments offered by Democratic members failed. For H.R. 1702, one amendment failed. For H.R. 1526, one amendment passed and two failed. All four bills were reported favorably out of committee with amendments: H.R. 1789 by 14-11, H.R. 1526 by 14-9, H.R. 1702 by 16-11, and H.R. 1605 was also reported favorably. The votes reflected partisan divisions, with Republican support and Democratic opposition to most bills. These bills now advance to the full House for consideration, though passage is not guaranteed. The bills collectively reflect Republican priorities regarding executive branch protections, judicial authority limitations, and federal court resources.
Video
Congress
119th Congress
Introduced
Feb 27, 2025
