Federal judges can now live anywhere—but will they get office space?

What it does

This bill removes a federal law requirement that circuit judges live within their assigned judicial circuit, allowing them to reside anywhere. It then requires the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to provide office facilities and support services to judges based on where they actually live—either in Washington, D.C. (if within 50 miles) or in their home district. The same change applies to judges of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

Why we flagged it

The bill is a straightforward amendment to federal judicial administration statutes, removing a residency mandate and establishing facility-provision rules. It is not a market-affecting measure, nor does it contain hidden riders or self-dealing provisions.

What the text implies

• Judges may now live far from their assigned circuits, potentially reducing local judicial presence and community access to the federal bench.
• The bill does not authorize new facility construction, so judges living remotely may receive inferior office support or strain existing resources in distant locations.
• Removal of residency requirements may increase judicial independence from local political pressure, but may also reduce accountability to the communities they serve.
• The 50-mile D.C. threshold creates a two-tier system: judges near Washington receive D.C. facilities, while others receive support in their home district or nearest available location, potentially creating disparities in judicial working conditions.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

Removing residency requirements may improve judicial independence and reduce barriers to judicial service, but it also permits judges to live far from their assigned circuits, potentially reducing local judicial presence and accessibility. The bill does not authorize new facility construction, so remote judges may strain existing resources or receive inferior support.

Named in the bill

U.S. Circuit Courts, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, Administrative Office of the United States Courts, 28 U.S.C. § 44, 28 U.S.C. § 175

Where it stands

1 cosponsor: 1 Democrats.

• Sep 16, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in Senate”
• Sep 16, 2026 — Referred to Senate Committee on the Judiciary · Congress.gov: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.