WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Pete Sessions (R) says Congress is taking steps to fix what he describes as a broken judicial system in the nation's capital, pointing to crime concerns and long delays in appointing judges.
The House passed a bill this month aimed at eliminating the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission, a body created during the city's home rule era in the 1980s to oversee appointments to local courts. Sessions argued that the commission has failed, leaving Washington short on judges and overwhelmed by the number of cases.
"The criminal element has taken advantage of the laws and the rules," said Sessions. "It is a pretty open secret that the criminals in this town get kids to commit these crimes... because they know that they will be arrested and nothing will happen."
Sessions noted that the D.C. Superior Court and Court of Appeals are operating with significant vacancies. Since 2013, nominees from both Republican and Democratic presidents have not been confirmed, leaving as many as 10 to 12 judge positions unfilled. During the Biden administration alone, Sessions said, several nominees have stalled.
Responding to criticism that the effort is politically motivated, Sessions said it was less about partisanship and more about restoring accountability.
"If the Democrats win, let them appoint who they want. If the Republicans win, let them appoint who they would want. But the bottom line is, when you nominate somebody, you stand behind them," he urged.
Supporters believe the bill is a necessary fix to restore accountability and ease case backlogs, while critics warn it could weaken D.C.'s home rule and local authority.
The bill now heads to the senate for further debate.
