BREAKING: Arizona Chief Judge Hopes President Biden Withdraws Veto Threat and Signs Bill Adding 2 New AZ Judges; Senator-Elect Gallego Agrees

The Chief Judge of Arizona's U.S. District Court hopes that President Joe Biden will withdraw his veto threat and sign the bill adding two new judges in the state (and 61 additional judgeships) over the next several years.

The House passed the bill today, 236-173. Earlier in the week, Biden issued the veto threat, noting that the GOP-controlled House had refused to take the vote before last month's election. The Senate had passed the bipartisan measure in August.

Chief Judge Jennifer Zipps told Arizona's Law that Arizona greatly needs the two extra judgeships. "The District of Arizona is hopeful that the JUDGES Act... is ultimately enacted.  As of September 30, 2024, this district ranks 2nd nationally in total case filings per judgeship.  The addition of two judgeships will help to ensure all Arizonans can have their day in court."

Although the House waited until they saw the November elections' outcome, the bill is crafted to minimize partisan advantage. The expansion would occur in five roughly equal mini-expansions beginning in 2025 and continuing every two years through 2033. (Arizona would receive its additional judgeships in 2027 and 2031.)

To compound issues in Arizona, our District is likely to LOSE one seat on the bench next year, unless Congress also passes - and Biden signs - a measure that would make Arizona's "temporary judgeship" permanent. 

(Judge Michael Liburdi is in that now-temporary seat. However, he would not be fired from the lifetime

appointment on July 1. Instead, the next Arizona judgeship that becomes vacant would simply not be filled.)

Nearly all of the Republicans voted today to send the expansion bill to the President, but only 29 Democrats joined them. Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego was one of those 29. (We have asked the Senator-Elect for a comment and will update as warranted.)

This article was reported by AZ Law founder Paul Weich. 

"AZ Law" includes articles, commentaries and updates about opinions from the Arizona Supreme Court, U.S. Supreme Court, as well as trial and appellate courts, etc. AZ Law is founded by Phoenix attorney Paul Weich, and joins Arizona's Politics on the internet. 

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