Biden Vetoes Bill Seeking to Create 66 New Judge Positions

The new positions would have addressed the ‘judicial backlog’ facing the nation, a lawmaker said.

President Joe Biden signs a proclamation in the Oval Office of the White House, on Aug. 16, 2024. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

President Joe Biden vetoed a bill aiming to expand judgeship slots in the United States, questioning the “motivating force” behind the measure.

On Dec. 12, the Republican-led House of Representatives voted 236–173 to approve the Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved (JUDGES) Act of 2024 seeking to add 66 district court judgeships in the country. Before the vote, the White House had warned that Biden would veto the bill.