PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 105-53.
Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Sep 23, 1997
Amends the Judicial Improvements and Access to Justice Act to extend permanently (currently ends after FY 1997) the authorization of appropriations for arbitration in U.S. district courts. Amends the Civil Justice Reform Act of 1990 to make permanent (currently expires on December 1, 1997) the requirement for the semiannual publication and dissemination of a list of each Federal judge's: (1) motions that have been pending for more than six months; (2) bench trials that have been submitted for more than six months; and (3) cases that have not been concluded within three years. Amends the Judicial Improvements Act of 1990 to strike provisions relating to the temporary appointment of one additional district judge for the northern district of Alabama. Extends temporary judgeships in: (1) the eastern district of California, the northern district of New York, the eastern district of Virginia, the southern and central districts of Illinois, the eastern district of Missouri, the northern district of Ohio, and the districts of Hawaii, Nebraska, and Kansas until the first vacancy occurring ten years or more after the confirmation of the judge named to fill such judgeships; and (2) the eastern district of Pennsylvania until the first vacancy occurring five years or more after the confirmation date of the judge named to fill such judgeship. Amends the Federal judicial code to transfer one Federal court judgeship from the eastern to the middle district of Louisiana.
People & committees
Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] · R–IA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 105-53.
Became Public Law No: 105-53.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Senate agreed to House amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S10243)
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to House amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S10243)
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 421 - 0 (Roll no. 418).
House roll call 418 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 421 - 0 (Roll no. 418).
House roll call 418 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business.
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Condit objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7622-7623, H7655-7656)
Mr. Coble moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Held at the desk.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8528)
Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7011-7012)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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