Better Bench Act
Removes the residency requirement for circuit judges and bases facilities and support for two groups of federal judges on where they live.
In the Senate Judiciary Committee since Sept. 16, 2026, 20 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 16, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Federal judges need places to work and administrative support. The bill would remove the residency requirement for federal circuit judges and set where they receive facilities and support based on where they live. It would use a similar approach for judges of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, without authorizing new construction.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Repeals circuit judges’ residency requirement
The bill would remove the existing residency requirement for federal circuit judges.
- Provides facilities for circuit judges
The Administrative Office of the United States Courts would provide facilities and administrative support in the District of Columbia to circuit judges who live within 50 miles of it. Judges who live farther away would receive them in their home district and division, or in the closest district and division with available facilities.
- Changes facilities rules for claims judges
The bill would set the same location-based facilities and administrative-support arrangements for judges of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. It would not authorize or require building new facilities.
The bill would change where federal circuit judges may live and where they receive facilities and administrative support. It would also apply a location-based approach to facilities for Court of Federal Claims judges, while ruling out new construction as part of these provisions.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 16, 2026SENATESEP 16, 2026By Sen. Moody with 1 original cosponsorReferred to Judiciary
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 16, 2026JUDICIARY NOWSEP 16, 2026In committee for 20 daysNo hearing yet
- 20 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 162026SEP 16, 2026REFERREDRead twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- SEP 162026SEP 16, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 20, this bill is already older than 6% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
Support from one state
Plus the sponsor, a Republican. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Republican. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Sen. Moody’s record: sponsored 63 bills this Congress. 4 passed the Senate; 0 became law.
- Christopher A. CoonsD-DEORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
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