The U.S. Senate has approved a bipartisan and bicameral legislation aimed at preserving access to the federal courts for millions of Americans. Spearheaded by U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Ted Cruz, the Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act seeks to transition 10 temporary federal judgeships to permanent status. The bill gained unanimous consent in the Senate, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a stable federal judiciary.
Senator Hirono expressed her satisfaction with the Senate's decision, stating, “I'm glad to see the Senate unanimously pass this bipartisan bill to help ensure people in Hawaii, Texas, and across the country can access our justice system.” She highlighted the significance of making longstanding temporary judgeships permanent, which would provide stability to federal courts nationwide.
The Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act targets specific federal district courts for the conversion of temporary judgeships to permanent status. These include courts in Hawaii, Texas, Alabama, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, and North Carolina.
The legislation has garnered support from a bipartisan group of lawmakers, with Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, Ranking Member Lindsey Graham, and several other senators co-sponsoring the bill. Their collaborative effort underscores the importance of ensuring continued access to the federal court system for Americans in various states.
The Senate's passage of the Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act represents a significant step towards maintaining the current level of access to justice for individuals across the nation. The bipartisan support for this legislation reflects a collective commitment to upholding the integrity and efficiency of the federal judiciary.