President Biden’s veto of the JUDGES Act sparks Republican shift towards tougher immigration enforcement and rapid judicial appointments.
At a Glance
- Biden vetoed the JUDGES Act, which aimed to add 66 new federal district judgeships
- Republicans are now focusing on addressing the border crisis and criminal case backlog
- GOP advancing bills to increase deportation penalties for illegal aliens convicted of crimes
- Republicans plan to confirm Trump-era judicial nominees swiftly
- Over 1.4 million illegal aliens with active deportation orders in the U.S.
Biden’s Veto Derails Bipartisan Judicial Expansion
The House of Representatives recently passed a bill to add 66 new federal district judgeships, a measure that initially enjoyed bipartisan support and unanimously passed the Senate in August. However, the White House indicated that President Biden would veto the legislation, effectively halting the expansion of the federal judiciary. The bill aimed to distribute new judgeships over more than a decade, allowing three presidential administrations and six Congresses to appoint judges.
The House vote was 236-173, with most Democrats opposing the bill despite initial bipartisan support. Organizations representing judges and attorneys backed the legislation, citing delays in case resolutions and access to justice as primary concerns. The last authorization for new district judgeships occurred over 20 years ago, despite increasing case filings and recommendations from the Judicial Conference of the United States to meet growing workload demands.
Republican Response: Focusing on Immigration Enforcement
In the wake of Biden’s veto, Republicans have shifted their strategy to address what they perceive as a pressing border crisis and the backlog of criminal cases against illegal aliens. The GOP-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.
“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
Another piece of legislation, the Laken Riley Act, which prioritizes the deportation of criminal illegal aliens, has already passed in the House and is set for a Senate vote. These legislative efforts reflect the Republican party’s commitment to addressing immigration-related issues and public safety concerns.
Judicial Appointments and the Path Forward
With the JUDGES Act stalled, Republicans are now focusing on alleviating 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
The Republican strategy also involves addressing the significant number of illegal aliens with active deportation orders in the U.S., currently estimated at over 1.4 million. By combining efforts to increase judicial efficiency with tougher immigration enforcement, the GOP aims to tackle both the backlog in the federal court system and the ongoing border crisis.
Implications for the Justice System and Immigration Policy
The failure to expand the federal judiciary through the JUDGES Act raises concerns about the ability of the court system to handle its growing caseload efficiently. With the last authorization for new district judgeships occurring over two decades ago, the strain on the judicial system continues to mount. Republicans argue that their focus on immigration enforcement and swift confirmation of judicial nominees will help address these challenges.
As the debate over immigration policy and judicial resources continues, the coming months will likely see intensified efforts from Republicans to push through their agenda on both fronts. The outcome of these efforts could have significant implications for the U.S. justice system and the country’s approach to immigration enforcement for years to come.
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
