To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to provide for the automatic appointment of judges to the District of Columbia courts without the advice and consent of the Senate, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · July 20, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
This bill would change how judges are appointed to Washington, D.C.'s courts by removing the requirement for Senate confirmation. Instead of the President nominating judges who must be approved by the Senate, the President would directly appoint judges from a list of candidates recommended by the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission. The Judicial Nomination Commission would also gain the power to directly appoint judges if the President fails to do so within a specified timeframe. To maintain congressional oversight, Congress would have a 60-day window to block any judicial appointment by passing a joint resolution of disapproval, using expedited procedures similar to those used for blocking D.C. Council legislation. The bill aims to reduce long-standing judicial vacancies in D.C. courts and would take effect immediately upon enactment for all future appointments, while also applying to any judicial nominations currently pending in the Senate.
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