S 2854119th CongressIn Committee

District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act

Introduced: Sep 18, 2025

Civil Rights & Justice

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill, titled the District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act, would terminate the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission (the commission) and remove its role in selecting nominees for DC judges. Instead, the President would become the sole nominative authority for DC judges (with related changes to designation of chief judges and appointment processes). The bill also removes references to the commission from certain qualifications for judges and from related statutory provisions, and it applies these changes to appointments made on or after the date of enactment. In short, it shifts the DC judicial nomination process from a local body to direct presidential control.

Key Points

1Termination of the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission: The bill strikes the section that established the commission, effectively ending its role in DC judicial nominations.
2President as sole nominating authority: The President would nominate DC judges without needing a slate or list from the commission.
3Changes to designation of chief judges and appointment process: References to the commission are removed in sections that designate chief judges and in the process of appointing judges, centralizing authority with the President.
4Qualifications adjustments: The bill removes references to the commission in the qualifications for DC judges; the qualifications would no longer depend on input from the commission.
5Effective date and conforming amendments: The amendments apply to appointments made on or after the enactment date, and related conforming amendments are made to related DC Code provisions and the table of contents.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: District of Columbia residents and the DC judiciary, since the appointment pathway for DC judges would move from a local commission to presidential nomination (with the usual federal confirmation process implied).Secondary group/area affected: Federal and local balance of power in DC governance; the President would have greater direct influence over DC judicial appointments, potentially reducing local input and oversight.Additional impacts: Potential effects on transparency, diversity of nominees, and perceived judicial independence; changes to the confirmation process (which, though not explicitly described in the bill, would typically involve Senate consideration for federal judicial appointments). There could be transitional issues for ongoing or upcoming judicial appointments and for DC-specific judicial administration.

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