DC Update

We're going to continue to see a push for good, conservative bills this summer.  One of those that certainly is interesting is the bill introduced by Senator John Ensign of Nevada that seeks to split up the 9th Circuit. S. 1845 (titled The Circuit Court of Appeals Restructuring and Modernization Act of 2005).  This bill, or a variation of it, appears to have the support of Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter, already having been placed on the Judiciary Committee's Executive Calendar.  Once a quorum of the Judiciary Committee meets, likely in July, there will be a hearing on the bill, then a mark-up.  The hope is that Chairman Specter will get this bill, or one like it, to the floor of the Senate this year, but if not, early next year.

The bill itself seeks to split the 9th into two circuits, leaving California, Guam, Hawaii and the Mariana Islands in the 9th Circuit and placing Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington in the new 12th Circuit, headquartered in Phoenix, AZ.  This is a substantial shake-up of the Circuit courts and will likely face the threat of a filibuster by the Democrats.

Drew Ryun has confirmed that leadership has promised Senator Ensign a vote on his Child Custody Protection Act in July.  After the House passed it's version of the bill, it was decided that the Senate should take up Ensign's bill as a stand alone bill instead of an amendment. While the House and Senate versions vary in their language, it was decided to try and pass Ensign's bill with its current language as many Democrats, including Minority Leader Harry Reid, have voted for it in the past.  The variations in language will then be reconciled during the House and Senate conference on the bill.

We'll keep you posted.