President Joe Biden vetoed a bill on Monday that aimed to add 66 federal judges nationwide, marking a significant move against the first major judiciary expansion since 1990. The bipartisan JUDGES Act proposed staggered additions to 25 district courts in 13 states, including California, Florida, and Texas, with six waves of appointments through 2035. Advocates argued that federal caseloads have surged over 30% since the last expansion.
The bill passed the Republican-led House on Dec. 12 with a 236-173 vote, following unanimous Senate approval in August. However, Biden rejected the measure, stating it “hastily” created judgeships without fully assessing needs and allocation.
The bill’s staggered approach aimed to avoid partisan concerns by distributing appointments across three administrations. However, its timing—after Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s victory—sparked backlash. House Democrats accused Republicans of violating a key promise by scheduling the vote before knowing who would appoint the first wave of judges.
If enacted, Trump would have filled 22 permanent and three temporary judgeships, adding to his 100+ expected appointments and solidifying his influence on the judiciary. During his first term, Trump appointed 234 judges, including three Supreme Court justices.
Biden, who recently surpassed Trump’s total with 235 appointments, including one Supreme Court justice, argued the bill’s shortcomings outweighed its benefits. Republican Senator Todd Young, who sponsored the bill, criticized the veto as “partisan politics at its worst.”
This decision leaves the judiciary under strain, as judges and lawmakers continue to push for solutions to mounting caseloads.
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