West STL News

Congresswoman Ann Wagner from Missouri has expressed approval for the Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act, which has recently been signed into law. This new legislation transforms a temporary federal judicial seat in Missouri's Eastern District into a permanent position.

Wagner stated, "Missouri has had a temporary judgeship for too long, and the Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act has finally made it permanent. Our temporary judgeship was set to expire in 2025, leaving Missouri without that judgeship at a time when U.S. District Court filings have only increased, and risking serious strain to our local law enforcement and judicial systems. Not only will this legislation provide greater legal certainty for victims and their families, it will also ensure that President Trump is able to nominate a new judge to this position when it becomes vacant. I have seen firsthand the dangerous impact of President Biden’s liberal judges on our justice system, and I fought hard to get this bill passed so President Trump will be able to make his mark here at home in our great state of Missouri."

The background context highlights that since 1990, there has been a 30% increase in U.S. District Court filings without a proportional rise in the number of judgeships. This situation has caused delays and difficulties for courts nationwide. On December 10, 2024, President Biden announced his intention to veto any legislation aimed at increasing the number of judgeships.

The Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act does not add new positions but rather converts existing temporary ones into permanent roles across several districts. The affected districts include those with temporary judgeships dating back to 1990: Hawaii, Kansas, and Missouri's Eastern District; as well as those established since 2002: Northern Alabama, Arizona, Central California, Southern Florida, New Mexico, Western North Carolina, and Eastern Texas.