WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Representatives Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Rick Larsen (WA-02), and Suzan DelBene (WA-01) introduced the Improving Access to Our Courts Act to allow federal court proceedings to be conducted in Alpine, Texas the Western District of Texas, and in Mt. Vernon, Washington for the Western District of Washington. The U.S. District Court in Alpine, Texas is in Congressman Gonzales’ district and serves nine Texas counties.
“If you have ever been to West Texas, you know it is never easy to get from Point A to Point B,” said Congressman Gonzales. “This legislation will expand courtroom access for West Texas constituents and ensure they don’t have to travel far distances to access our judicial system. I am proud of this effort to make court proceedings more accessible.”
“Having Mount Vernon as a court location for the Western District of Washington gives defendants, attorneys and witnesses in Northwest Washington a better chance at appearing in court without disruption to their work, education and family lives,” said Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02).
“Adding a federal court location in Mount Vernon would make it easier for Skagit, Island, and Snohomish County residents to access our federal justice system. This centralized location would also help reduce travel times and alleviate some of the burden that falls on witnesses, defendants, lawyers, and agents in getting to court,”?said Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01).
Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) are filing a Senate companion bill.
Background:
This legislation will clarify in law that federal court proceedings may be held in Alpine, Texas for the Western District of Texas, and in Mt. Vernon, Washington for the Western District of Washington. Currently, litigants typically sign waivers to allow for court proceedings in Alpine, Texas. Updating the law to remove this bureaucratic hurdle will streamline court proceedings by facilitating more cases to be held in the Alpine courthouse rather than in other Western District courts. There is no new cost associated with this bill as the courthouses in question are currently operational.