Staff Reports
President Biden’s recent veto of a bipartisan bill aimed at creating over 60 new federal judgeships has sparked quite the uproar from lawmakers across the aisle. It seems even those in the Democratic camp are scratching their heads, trying to understand the rationale behind this decision. The backlash is not just coming from conservative corners; even Biden’s supporters are voicing disappointment over what many are calling a misguided political maneuver.
Senator Todd Young, the Indiana Republican who championed the bill, described the veto as yet another example of the partisan antics that Americans have grown tired of. Young noted that the JUDGES Act garnered support from both sides of the aisle, intending to tackle the growing backlog in the judicial system. The proposal would have strategically distributed the creation of these judgeships over three presidential terms, thus preventing any single party from reaping undue advantages. The fact that this was shot down demonstrates how stubborn the Biden administration can be when it comes to bipartisan solutions.
To add a twist to this political drama, even Senator Chris Coons, a trusted ally of the president, expressed his dissatisfaction with the veto. Coons focused on the increasing caseloads faced by federal judges and pointed out that the bill had been the result of years of hard work. This clearly illustrates that even within the ranks of Democrats, there is a recognition that Biden’s veto was shortsighted, particularly during a time when the nation’s judicial system could desperately use some reinforcements.
The bill’s intent was simple yet vital: to create 66 federal district judgeships over a decade’s time span. This was not a ploy for one party to gain judicial dominance but rather a necessary step toward addressing the mounting pressure on the judicial system. Yet, the veto seems more like a calculated political move than a genuine concern for the courts or constituents. After all, it has been over two decades since Congress last created federal judgeships, and the U.S. judicial system is obviously suffering from an increased workload.
Biden’s veto of law creating judgeships draws bipartisan backlashhttps://t.co/zrZZM6AgAI pic.twitter.com/ieevum29FO
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 26, 2024
Biden defended his decision by highlighting perceived flaws in the legislative process, claiming the hurried action of the House left unresolved questions about the allocation of judgeships and the current workload of judges. It’s almost amusing how the administration can suddenly find its concern for efficiency when it suits its political agenda. Clearly, the fact that the bill was poised to create judgeships under three different administrations gave the president cold feet, as it might have given a Republican president the opportunity to fill more positions.
The dismissive attitude toward judicial reforms only underscores a larger issue: a failure to embrace bipartisan initiatives that aim to help the American legal system function more smoothly. From disregarding the opinions of both supporters and critics within his own party to claiming the need for unnecessary delays, it’s becoming increasingly clear that this administration prefers the status quo, even when it means allowing the judicial system to continue its backlog-induced spirals. Once again, the swamp shows its true colors.
