WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) released the following statement following House passage of his bill, HR 5125, the District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act of 2025.

Congressman Sessions said, “I am proud my bill to abolish the DC Judicial Nomination Commission has passed the House. As the son of a federal judge, I have a great respect for the judiciary and the process Constitutionally ordained to ensure fairness in our courts. As it stands, the DC Judicial Nomination Commission has too often prioritized politics over justice, creating delays and heavy caseloads. The President must be able to quickly nominate judges to fill vacancies that allow criminals to escape justice. The DC courts must be equipped to do their job: hold criminals accountable, protect victims, and maintain order in our nation’s capital.”

HR 5125 amends the 1973 Home Rule Act to move the power to nominate judges to the executive branch, stopping the DC Judicial Nomination Commission from limiting the President’s ability to nominate qualified judges. Under Article II of the Constitution, the President has the power to nominate judges, subject to Senate confirmation. Established over 50 years ago, the Commission has slowed judicial appointments, creating prolonged vacancies and worsening case backlogs. With crime rising in Washington, DC, these delays further undermine public safety and justice.

Notably, HR 5125 does not remove any current judges, simply restoring the traditional process for filling new vacancies moving forward, aligning DC with every other state.

Click here to watch Congressman Sessions speak in favor of the bill on the House floor.

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