Biden In Hot Water
President Joe Biden is facing backlash after vetoing a crucial bill aimed at addressing the growing backlog in federal courts. The JUDGES Act, which would have added 66 new federal judgeships across 13 states, was designed to tackle the overwhelming caseload that has been hindering the efficiency of the judicial system. Despite broad bipartisan support, Biden’s veto on Monday has sparked criticism from both Republican lawmakers and judicial leaders, many of whom argue that his decision will further delay justice for American citizens.
The bill, which had gained momentum before the election, sought to gradually add new judgeships over a span of two years, with the full expansion expected by 2035. While it initially gained support from both parties, the proposal stalled in Congress until after the election. Had it passed, President Trump would have been able to nominate a significant portion of the new judges during his time in office.
In his veto message, Biden argued that the bill was not driven by an urgent need for new judgeships but rather by political motivations, claiming it was a move to fill positions in states where vacancies had been left open by Republican senators. He criticized the rushed approach of Congress, particularly the actions of the Republican-controlled House, which passed the bill despite remaining unresolved questions.
However, critics, including Judge Robert Conrad, director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, have strongly disagreed with Biden’s assessment. Conrad emphasized that the proposal was the result of detailed analysis and extensive planning to address the growing caseloads in federal courts. He pointed out that the number of pending federal civil cases has skyrocketed by 346 percent over the past two decades, with roughly 82,000 cases waiting to be processed as of March 2024. Without additional judges, many of these cases could remain unresolved for years, leaving millions of Americans without timely access to justice.
Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), a key proponent of the bill, criticized Biden’s veto as an example of “partisan politics at its worst.” He compared the president’s reluctance to address the needs of the judicial system to his willingness to intervene in matters involving his family, particularly in light of the recent pardons granted to his son, Hunter Biden. Young’s remarks echoed the sentiments of judicial advocates who argue that the veto is part of a broader pattern of political interference that undermines the functioning of essential government institutions.
Michelle Childs, a Biden-appointed federal appeals court judge and chair of the Federal Judges Association, was among those urging Biden to sign the bill. The association, alongside organizations like Fix the Court, has called the veto a setback for judicial reform and a missed opportunity to enhance the efficiency of the federal judiciary.
In a statement, Gabe Roth, executive director of Fix the Court, said Biden’s veto “does his legacy no favors.” Roth, who has been a vocal advocate for judicial ethics reform, expressed disappointment that the president had failed to act on a measure that would have alleviated pressure on the court system.
The controversy surrounding Biden’s veto is just the latest example of the deepening partisan divide in Washington, D.C. With the judiciary facing unprecedented challenges, the failure to address the need for additional judgeships is a blow to Americans waiting for their day in court. As the federal courts continue to grapple with an overwhelming backlog, it remains unclear how or when the situation will be resolved.
In the end, President Biden’s veto is seen by many as a political maneuver that prioritizes party loyalty over the needs of the American people—something that Republicans and judicial advocates alike believe will only make an already difficult situation worse.
