Biden vows to veto legislation that would grant Trump additional judicial appointments
The legislation was developed collaboratively with Sen. Chris Coons, a close ally of Biden.
TroibNews 
Donald Trump is keen on appointing numerous new judges as soon as he assumes the presidency, but Joe Biden has a different agenda.
The president has threatened to veto a bill aimed at increasing the number of federal judges, as he does not wish to provide the incoming president with new appointment opportunities, according to one of Biden's close allies in an interview.
This decision effectively derails legislation led by Sen. Chris Coons, who had been advocating for the creation of 63 new judgeships for several months.
“I understand that the president’s view is that to pass it this late in the session and hand the next president 22 judges to confirm is something he doesn’t support,” Coons told PMG.
Coons described the outcome as “regrettable,” attributing it to partisan politics that have hindered what was initially a bipartisan initiative. He noted that Biden had conveyed to him that his only concern regarding the bill was its timing.
“If we could change the date by four years, I know — he told me — if we could change the date, he’d sign it tomorrow,” Coons recounted from their discussion.
Coons, who collaborated with Sen. Todd Young on the legislation, formulated the bill to alleviate the pressure on courts nationwide. They had urged the House to address it before the election, not knowing the eventual electoral results. The proposal would have established 63 new judgeships over the next decade, including 11 in 2025 and another 11 in 2027.
The Senate passed the judgeship bill unanimously during the summer.
However, the timing in the House exceeded Nov. 5, leading to a Democratic effort to oppose the bill prior to its scheduled vote this week. Democratic leadership is encouraging caucus members to reject the legislation, as per information from three individuals aware of the matter.
Despite potential universal opposition from Democrats, Republicans might still advance the bill independently, which would compel Biden to act on his threat.
Biden has vowed to veto it partly because “the House refused to take it up until after the election.”
“The bill would create new judgeships in states where Senators have sought to hold open existing judicial vacancies,” stated the White House in its administration policy. “Those efforts to hold open vacancies suggest that concerns about judicial economy and caseload are not the true motivating force behind passage of this bill now.”
While Coons acknowledged his understanding of Biden's opposition, he remains committed to attempting to revive the initiative next year, despite broader worries regarding Trump's impact on the judiciary.
“I know federal judges who are working under crushing workloads,” he stated. “I think it is every bit as urgent today as it was before that we meet the need for an expanded federal judiciary and I regret the fact that it’s ended up getting wrapped around some more partisan concerns.”
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
The president has threatened to veto a bill aimed at increasing the number of federal judges, as he does not wish to provide the incoming president with new appointment opportunities, according to one of Biden's close allies in an interview.
This decision effectively derails legislation led by Sen. Chris Coons, who had been advocating for the creation of 63 new judgeships for several months.
“I understand that the president’s view is that to pass it this late in the session and hand the next president 22 judges to confirm is something he doesn’t support,” Coons told PMG.
Coons described the outcome as “regrettable,” attributing it to partisan politics that have hindered what was initially a bipartisan initiative. He noted that Biden had conveyed to him that his only concern regarding the bill was its timing.
“If we could change the date by four years, I know — he told me — if we could change the date, he’d sign it tomorrow,” Coons recounted from their discussion.
Coons, who collaborated with Sen. Todd Young on the legislation, formulated the bill to alleviate the pressure on courts nationwide. They had urged the House to address it before the election, not knowing the eventual electoral results. The proposal would have established 63 new judgeships over the next decade, including 11 in 2025 and another 11 in 2027.
The Senate passed the judgeship bill unanimously during the summer.
However, the timing in the House exceeded Nov. 5, leading to a Democratic effort to oppose the bill prior to its scheduled vote this week. Democratic leadership is encouraging caucus members to reject the legislation, as per information from three individuals aware of the matter.
Despite potential universal opposition from Democrats, Republicans might still advance the bill independently, which would compel Biden to act on his threat.
Biden has vowed to veto it partly because “the House refused to take it up until after the election.”
“The bill would create new judgeships in states where Senators have sought to hold open existing judicial vacancies,” stated the White House in its administration policy. “Those efforts to hold open vacancies suggest that concerns about judicial economy and caseload are not the true motivating force behind passage of this bill now.”
While Coons acknowledged his understanding of Biden's opposition, he remains committed to attempting to revive the initiative next year, despite broader worries regarding Trump's impact on the judiciary.
“I know federal judges who are working under crushing workloads,” he stated. “I think it is every bit as urgent today as it was before that we meet the need for an expanded federal judiciary and I regret the fact that it’s ended up getting wrapped around some more partisan concerns.”
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
