Cruz and Cornyn Introduce Bill to Expand Court Accessibility in West Texas

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) joined Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) in introducing the Improving Access to Our Courts Act to provide an additional court – located in Alpine, Texas – to those served by the Pecos Division of the Western District of Texas. 

About the bill, Sen. Cruz said:

“I am proud to work with my colleagues in Texas to increase accessibility to our federal courts for victims, parties, counsel, and the general public. Through this needed addition, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas will be able to provide more efficient service to the people of West Texas, allowing them to seek redress without having to navigate unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. Justice has come home.”

Sen. Cornyn said:

“The American system of checks and balances relies on the strength of our three branches of government. This legislation will support the important work happening in West Texas federal courtrooms and the mission of our judicial branch by increasing the number of local cases that can be processed.”

The bill is cosponsored by Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) in addition to Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), and Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.). 

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 and encourage more local court proceedings in the Alpine courthouse. There is no new cost associated with this bill as both courthouses are currently operational.

Read the bill text here.

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