Hank Johnson: “I thank the ranking member for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to S. 4199. You don't get…”

“I thank the ranking member for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to S. 4199. You don't get to pick the horse after that horse has already won the race, but that is exactly what my Republican colleagues are seeking to do today. S. 4199 was bipartisan until just over a month ago. It was a bill that I was proud to support, and it is one that I have been fighting for because there is no question that we need more Federal judgeships. We have been fighting this battle for years. We haven't been able to pass a comprehensive bill on judgeships in over three decades because my friends on the other side of the aisle want to strangle the judicial system and privatize it, want to do forced arbitration, and want to clog up the courts. Then, when my colleagues do get a chance to appoint judges to the court, and Justices, Republicans appoint rightwing extreme ideologues to the bench. When we look at the appointments that Donald Trump has announced so far, people like Stephen Miller, Matt Gaetz, Robert Kennedy, Pam Bondi, and Kash Patel, it is clear that Trump has said and has acted in ways to pervert the justice system. Mr. Speaker, S. 4199 would give this incoming President 25 appointments to the Federal judiciary of extreme rightwing ideologues. It is just not something that is appropriate for us to support at this particular time, given his track record. Mr. Speaker, we could have passed this bill before the lameduck session.…”