Dianne Feinstein: “I rise to oppose S. 878, or at least the version the House of Representatives just passed today. Essentially, what the…”

“I rise to oppose S. 878, or at least the version the House of Representatives just passed today. Essentially, what the House did was to poison a worthy bill, a bill that was meant to alleviate the crisis of an overwhelming workload under which the Federal judiciary is struggling. The House did so by adding language to split the Ninth Circuit into three circuits. In doing so, the House has essentially taken the new judges as hostages to a starkly partisan and controversial ploy. I will not go along with such bullying tactics, and I am placing a hold on that bill today. It is with great regret, and with greater frustration, that I place this hold. I will take a few minutes to explain why we so desperately need the new Federal judges S. 878 would provide, and then I want to make clear why I am so opposed to the language the House of Representatives has added to split the Ninth Circuit.”