Norton Highlights Continuing Judicial Vacancy Crisis on Local D.C. Courts, Reiterates Call to Change Approval Process for D.C. Judges

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the Senate on August recess, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today highlighted the continuing judicial vacancy crisis on the local District of Columbia courts and reiterated the need for Congress to pass her bill that would expedite the approval process for local D.C. judges. The local D.C. courts face a persistent judicial vacancy crisis, regardless of which party controls the Senate, because both parties prioritize federal judicial and executive branch nominees over local D.C. nominees, but Republicans have exacerbated the problem this Congress by filibustering nominees to the local D.C. courts.

"The judicial vacancy crisis in the local District of Columbia courts harms public safety and access to justice in D.C.," Norton said. "Either the Senate must devote significantly more time to confirming local D.C. judges or Congress must pass my bill to expedite the approval process for local D.C. judges."

Currently, there are 13 vacancies out of 62 authorized judges on D.C.'s trial court, the Superior Court, and there will be at least 14 vacancies as of August 31. There are two vacancies out of nine authorized judges on D.C.'s appeals court, the Court of Appeals. In February, the Senate confirmed seven local D.C. court judges.

Norton has introduced a bill that would eliminate the Senate confirmation requirement for local D.C. judges. Her District of Columbia Courts Vacancy Reduction Act would allow judicial appointments to the local D.C. courts to take effect after a 30-day congressional review period, unless a joint resolution disapproving an appointment is enacted into law during that period. The bill would make the congressional review process for appointments the same as the one currently used for legislation passed by the D.C. Council. The bill passed the House Committee on Oversight and Reform last year.

Under the D.C. Home Rule Act, D.C. judges are appointed by the president, subject to Senate confirmation. The president appoints a nominee from one of three candidates submitted by the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission. If the president does not appoint one of the candidates within 60 days, the commission is required to appoint one of the candidates, subject to Senate confirmation.

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