Judiciary
Congress Passes Court Security Law that Moves Seat to 9th Circuit
Congress has passed a court security law that moves one federal appellate seat from the D.C. Circuit to the 9th Circuit.
The extra 9th Circuit seat will be added on Jan. 21, 2009, the day after President Bush leaves office, the Recorder reports.
The bill authorizes appropriation of $200 million over four years to help state and local governments improve court security and to add personnel to the U.S. marshals service, which provides security for courthouses and federal judges, according to the Chicago Tribune blog The Swamp.
It also provides that senior district judges who handle at least 50 percent of a full caseload will be given the same administrative powers as regular judges.
