Republicans Target New Federal Court Policy Aimed at Judge Shopping
Senate Republicans criticized a new federal courts policy on Thursday aimed at curbing “judge shopping,” a practice highlighted in a major abortion medication case.
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell expressed opposition on the Senate floor and, along with two other GOP senators, sent letters to twelve chief judges across the country suggesting they do not have to adhere to the new policy.
The policy of the courts requires cases with national implications to receive random judge assignments, even in smaller divisions where all local cases go before a single judge. Critics argue that this system allows private or state attorneys to essentially choose which judge will hear their case, potentially impacting the entire country.
Interest groups have long sought to file lawsuits before judges aligned with their causes, but the practice gained attention after a controversial ruling that halted approval of abortion medication.
The case was filed in Amarillo, Texas, and was likely to be heard by a judge appointed by former President Donald Trump with ties to a conservative legal group. The Supreme Court intervened and will hear arguments on the case later this month.
Senate Republicans have been critical of the recent increase in cases seeking national injunctions, with McConnell referring to the court’s new policy as an “unforced error.”
The policy, adopted by the U.S. Judicial Conference, faced opposition from Republican senators who argue that district courts should have the autonomy to establish their own rules.
Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Dick Durbin, have supported the policy change, believing it will help restore public confidence in judicial rulings.
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