In a significant development regarding the federal judiciary, President Joe Biden has issued a veto threat against a bipartisan bill aimed at expanding federal judgeships by 66 positions. This legislation, which has garnered support from House Republicans, is set to be voted on soon. The Senate had previously passed the bill unanimously in August 2024, marking a rare moment of bipartisan agreement in a politically charged environment. However, Biden's administration has expressed concerns that the bill's true motives are not rooted in judicial economy, but rather in political maneuvering. House Speaker Mike Johnson has backed the bill, citing an urgent need to address the backlog of nearly 750,000 pending cases in federal district courts as of June 30, 2024. On the other hand, Rep. Jerry Nadler has warned that the bill could enable former President Donald Trump to make 25 new judicial nominations, raising alarms among Democrats about the potential implications for the judiciary's future. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has questioned Biden's rationale for the veto, emphasizing the necessity of expanding the judiciary to meet growing demands. This partisan split highlights the ongoing tensions in Congress regarding judicial appointments and the broader implications for the balance of power within the federal judiciary. [50257c02]