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H.R.6116 / 112th Congress

To amend the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands to provide for direct review by the United States Supreme Court of decisions of the Virgin Islands Supreme Court, and for other purposes.

Became Public Law No: 112-226.

Official summary

Version 49 · Public Law · Dec 28, 2012

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on November 14, 2012. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Amends the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands, with respect to the judicial procedure for appealing from the decisions of courts of the Virgin Islands to courts of the United States, to remove the temporary jurisdiction of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to review by a writ of certiorari the final decisions of the highest court of the Virgin Islands.

Authorizes final judgments or decrees rendered by the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands to be reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court by writ of certiorari where the validity of a treaty or statute of the United States is drawn in question or where the validity of a statute of the Virgin Islands is drawn in question on the ground of its being repugnant to the Constitution, treaties, or laws of the United States, or where any title, right, privilege, or immunity is specially set up or claimed under the Constitution or the treaties or statutes of, or any commission held or authority exercised under, the United States.

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Applies such U.S. Supreme Court reviewing authority to cases commenced on or after enactment of this Act.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Del. Christensen, Donna M. [D-VI-At Large] · D–VI

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
  • Judiciary Committee
33 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Became Public Law No: 112-226.

  2. Became Public Law No: 112-226.

  3. Signed by President.

  4. Signed by President.

  5. Presented to President.

  6. Presented to President.

  7. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  9. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  10. Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8046)

  11. Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S8046)

  12. Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

  13. The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

  14. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  15. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6353)

  16. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6353)

  17. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6116.

  18. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6353-6355)

  19. Mr. Coble moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  20. Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law.

  21. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

  22. Introduced in House

  23. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.6116 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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