September 18 (legislative day, September 16), 2025
Mr. Kennedy introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to terminate the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act
.
Sec. 2. Termination of District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission
(a) Termination
The District of Columbia Home Rule Act is amended by striking section 434 (sec. 1–204.34, D.C. Official Code).
(b) Conforming amendments relating to appointment of judges
(1) Designation of chief judges by President
Section 431(b) of such Act (sec. 1–204.31(b), D.C. Official Code) is amended by striking the District of Columbia Judicial Nominating Commission established by section 434
and inserting the President
.
(2) Appointment by President
Section 433(a) of such Act (sec. 1–204.33(a), D.C. Official Code) is amended by striking Except as provided in section 434(d)(1), the President shall nominate, from the list of persons recommended to him by the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission established under section 434,
and inserting The President shall nominate,
.
(3) Qualifications of judges
Section 433(b) of such Act (sec. 1–204.33(b), D.C. Official Code) is amended—
(A)
by adding and
at the end of paragraph (3);
(B)
by striking paragraph (4) and redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (4); and
(C)
in paragraph (4), as so redesignated, by striking or of the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission
.
(c) Other conforming amendment
Section 11–1528(a)(2), District of Columbia Official Code, is amended by striking subparagraph (C).
(d) Clerical amendment
The table of contents of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act is amended by striking the item relating to section 434.
(e) Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to appointments made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.