People Power United joins coalition efforts to oppose the Judges Act
🗽A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.
People Power United joined coalition efforts to oppose the Judges Act. Shout out to Demand Justice for leading this effort. Below is the letter we submitted on behalf of our People Power United membership.
May 5, 2025
United State House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative,
On behalf of the 36 undersigned organizations, we are writing to express our strong opposition to H.R. 1702, the Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved (JUDGES) Act of 2025. If passed as currently written, Congress will hand President Trump 22 new lifetime judgeships and 1 temporary judgeship to fill before his term concludes.
A version of this bill passed in the previous Congress, even receiving unanimous consent by the Senate on August 1, 2024. It was passed at that time because the new judgeships would be filled by an unknown future President and confirmed by a Senate led by an unknown future party. The House, however, delayed consideration of the bill until after the 2024 elections. Only after it became clear Republicans would control both the White House and Senate, did Republican leadership in the House quickly move to pass the bill, leading to President Biden’s veto.
H.R. 1702 violates both the intent and bipartisan spirit in which these kinds of bills have been considered and passed. Historically, new judgeships have typically been added with the understanding that they would be filled after the next election, ensuring neither party knows who would have control of the process.
We are committed to access to justice for people in America and acknowledge the need for additional judgeships. However, for there to be true access to justice there must be access to fair-minded judges who will protect the rights of all of us. It is profoundly important that any judgeship - new or current - be filled by individuals appointed to the bench who the public can trust will provide a fair administration and access to justice for all Americans.
Right now, we have a president who has declared himself king and openly attacks judges who rule against him and his administration’s policies. He prioritizes loyalty over the rule of law. Throughout his first administration, he selected judicial nominees who led attacks on our civil and human rights and we have seen the devastating result. It is imperative that any and all judgeships be filled by fair-minded individuals who have a demonstrated commitment to equal justice for all, not just the billionaires and powerful. For the millions of people of color, underserved communities and Americans who reside in the districts where new judgeships would be added, including Texas and Florida, it would be irresponsible to hand this president even more lifetime judgeships to fill.
With over 240 Article III judges eligible for senior status in the next four years, and another 60+ current or known future vacancies, President Trump already has a significant - and dangerous - opportunity to appoint half of the federal judiciary by the end of his second term. As President Trump and the administration pursue expanded executive powers that threaten our public services and civil rights, our district courts and district judges must remain an essential check on the other branches of our government. Passing this bill would only provide President Trump another 22 opportunities to appoint loyalists to lifetime seats on the bench.
For these reasons, the 36 undersigned organizations urge you to vote NO on H.R. 1702, the Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved (JUDGES) Act of 2025.
Sincerely,
Demand Justice
AFL-CIO
Alliance for Justice
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Clearinghouse on Women's Issues
Court Accountability Action
Earthjustice Action
Enough of Gun Violence
Faiths for Safe Water
Feminist Majority Foundation
Free Speech For People
Friends of the Earth
Greenpeace USA
Just Solutions
Lawyers for Good Government
League of Conservation Voters
MomsRising
MoveOn
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.
National Association of Consumer Advocates
National Employment Law Project
National Health Law Program
National Partnership for Women & Families
National Women's Law Center Action Fund
NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice
Newtown Action Alliance
People For the American Way
People Power United
People’s Parity Project
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Reproductive Freedom for All
SEIU
Stand Up America
The Sikh Coalition
Voices for Progress
***
People Power United is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.