Coons, Moody Push Bill to End 50-Mile D.C. Rule for 2 Federal Courts

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 26

A bipartisan Senate bill would scrap the requirement that judges on the Court of Federal Claims and the Federal Circuit live within 50 miles of Washington, opening those seats to candidates nationwide.
Coons and Moody say the change would widen the talent pool for two courts with national reach, especially for specialized cases involving patents, trademarks, government contracts and claims against the federal government.
Cato and Heritage scholars backed the proposal, arguing relocation to Washington can deter strong candidates and noting other multi-state federal courts already operate without comparable residency limits.
Critics could point to higher travel costs and weaker face-to-face collegiality, but supporters say those concerns are manageable and the rule is outdated for courts serving the entire country.