District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act of 2025

What is this bill?

• HR 5125, sponsored by Pete Sessions (R-TX-17)

This 3-page bill amends the DC Home Rule Act by repealing Sec 434 & ending the DC Judicial Nomination Commission.

What makes this bill fascist?

So, first off, what even is the DC Judicial Nomination Commission?

The DC Judicial Nomination Commission is a group of people who make recommendations to fill judicial vacancies in the District’s Superior & Appeals Courts. The Commission is made of seven members: two appointed by the mayor, two by the DC Bar Association, one by the City Council, one by the Chief Judge of the US District Count for the District of Columbia, and one by the President. All members serve six year terms, except for the Presidential nominee, who gets a five year term. Whenever there is a vacancy on the court, the Commission gathers and produces a list of three nominees. The President is then required to appoint a new judge from the supplied list and, once the selection is made, the Senate votes to confirm the appointee. Independently, the Commission also selects the District’s Chief Judges to their four year terms.

The problem though is if you’re, say, a president eager to enact a fascist vision on the 68 square miles closest to your second home, then a Commission where you can only name one member just won’t do. As such, this act dismantles the commission and gives the president sole control to fill court vacancies in the District.

Which Dems voted for this?

• House

  • No Dems voted for this bill

Did it pass?

• Passed the House by a vote of 218-211 on 9/17/25