District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/hr/5125
Last Updated: February 4, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]

ID: S000250

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate.

September 18, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater. Let's dissect the "District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act of 2025" – a bill that reeks of desperation, incompetence, and a dash of good old-fashioned power grab.

**Diagnosis:** This bill is suffering from a severe case of "Executive Overreach-itis," a disease characterized by an insatiable desire for control and a blatant disregard for checks and balances. The symptoms are clear: the termination of the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission, which will now allow the President to unilaterally appoint judges.

**New Regulations:** The bill creates a new regulatory framework that consolidates power in the hands of the Executive Branch. Gone is the pesky commission that used to provide some semblance of oversight and accountability. Now, the President gets to pick their favorite judges without any meaningful input from others.

**Affected Industries and Sectors:** This bill will have far-reaching consequences for the judiciary, the legal profession, and anyone who values an independent judiciary. The affected sectors include:

* The District of Columbia courts * The legal community * Anyone seeking justice in the nation's capital

**Compliance Requirements and Timelines:** There are no significant compliance requirements or timelines to speak of, as this bill is more about consolidating power than ensuring accountability.

**Enforcement Mechanisms and Penalties:** Don't bother looking for any meaningful enforcement mechanisms or penalties. This bill is designed to insulate the Executive Branch from scrutiny, not ensure that anyone is held accountable.

**Economic and Operational Impacts:** The economic impact of this bill will be minimal, but the operational implications are significant. With the President now having unfettered control over judicial appointments, we can expect a judiciary that is more beholden to the Executive Branch than ever before. This will have far-reaching consequences for the rule of law and the integrity of our justice system.

In conclusion, this bill is a masterclass in legislative malpractice. It's a naked power grab that undermines the principles of accountability and oversight. But hey, who needs an independent judiciary when you can have a President who gets to pick their favorite judges?

Related Topics

Transportation & Infrastructure Federal Budget & Appropriations Small Business & Entrepreneurship Government Operations & Accountability National Security & Intelligence State & Local Government Affairs Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Congressional Rules & Procedures Civil Rights & Liberties
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$90,500
22 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$17,600
Committees
$0
Individuals
$72,900

No PAC contributions found

1
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
4 transactions
$16,600
2
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
HOWARD, RONALD VANCE
1 transaction
$5,000
2
HOWARD, KAREN
1 transaction
$5,000
3
SINGH, PRITPAL
1 transaction
$5,000
4
KAUR, MANJIT
1 transaction
$5,000
5
BEHRINGER, TODD
1 transaction
$3,400
6
CARMICHAEL, JEFF
1 transaction
$3,300
7
OBERHELMAN, DIANE
1 transaction
$3,300
8
SHELTON, WALLACE
1 transaction
$3,300
9
SIMMONS, HARRIS
1 transaction
$3,300
10
CURRY, ALICIA
1 transaction
$3,300
11
CURRY, PATRICK
1 transaction
$3,300
12
BEKTAS, MELIH
1 transaction
$3,300
13
JOHNSON, WALTER
1 transaction
$3,300
14
ROLAND, JAMES
1 transaction
$3,300
15
PATTERSON, DAN
1 transaction
$3,300
16
DEASON, DARWIN
1 transaction
$3,300
17
WINN, MELINDA
1 transaction
$3,300
18
WINN, STEPHEN
1 transaction
$3,300
19
MOUNTAIN, ROCKY MR.
1 transaction
$3,300
20
PEROT, H. ROSS MR. , JR.
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 2 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]

ID: H001077

Top Contributors

10

1
LAWLEY AGENCY
Organization BUFFALO, NY
$1,000
Mar 31, 2023
2
WESTERN NEW YORK MRI, LLP
Organization BUFFALO, NY
$1,000
May 19, 2023
3
THORNBERG, KEN
FREEDOM ENCOUNTERS MINISTRY
Individual BOISE, ID
$208
Apr 4, 2024
4
DOWNING, FRANK
Individual ORCHARD PARK, NY
$3,300
Nov 29, 2023
5
GLYNN, CHRISTOPHER M.
Individual NIAGARA FALLS, NY
$3,300
Nov 29, 2023
6
LEE, CYNTHIA R.
Individual KEY LARGO, FL
$3,300
Nov 29, 2023
7
LEE, PATRICK P.
Individual KEY LARGO, FL
$3,300
Nov 29, 2023
8
PIETROWSKI, DAVE
Individual ORCHARD PARK, NY
$3,300
Nov 29, 2023
9
VAZQUEZ, RAUL MD
Individual WILLIAMSVILLE, NY
$3,300
Nov 29, 2023
10
BALBACH, CHARLES
NANCY L PRESSLY & ASSOC SELF-INVESTOR
Individual ORCHARD PARK, NY
$3,300
Mar 22, 2023

Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]

ID: W000795

Top Contributors

10

1
MAGELLAN HOUSING
Organization SUGAR LAND, TX
$1,500
Mar 27, 2024
2
UFCW LOCAL 1059
Organization COLUMBUS, OH
$2,500
Jun 15, 2024
3
CATAWBA INDIAN NATION
Organization ROCK HILL, SC
$2,000
May 6, 2024
4
LEHMAN, WILLIAM JR.
LEHMAN DEALERSHIP ENTERPRISES PRESIDENT
Individual MIAMI, FL
$5,000
Jul 18, 2024
5
LEHMAN, WILLIAM JR.
Individual MIAMI, FL
$3,400
Aug 2, 2024
6
SANDBERG, SHERYL
NOT EMPLOYED PHILANTHROPIST
Individual SAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
7
ARISON, MADELEINE
HOMEMAKER HOMEMAKER
Individual BAL HARBOUR, FL
$3,300
Mar 6, 2023
8
ARISON, MICKY
NOT EMPLOYED RETIRED
Individual BAL HARBOUR, FL
$3,300
Mar 6, 2023
9
LEHMAN, WILLIAM JR.
LEHMAN DEALERSHIP ENTERPRISES PRESIDENT
Individual MIAMI, FL
$3,300
Jun 28, 2023
10
MOISE, RUDOLPH
SELF-EMPLOYED PHYSICIAN
Individual DAVIE, FL
$3,300
Jul 18, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 31 nodes and 31 connections

Total contributions: $98,708

Top Donors - Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]

Showing top 22 donors by contribution amount

2 Orgs20 Individuals