Divisional Realignment Act of 2012

Floor Speech

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Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I support H.R. 5512, the Divisional Realignment Act of 2012, sponsored by Representative Bennie Thompson.

On March 13, 2012, the Judicial Conference of the United States adopted a draft bill that realigns divisions within the Eastern District of Missouri and the Northern District of Mississippi. The Divisional Realignment Act of 2012 reflects the draft developed by the Judicial Conference which the Judiciary Committee marked up on May 16. The realignments equalize workloads among divisions, maximize the use of court facilities, and shorten commutes for jurors and attorneys.

The bill is supported by the judges and attorneys from the two judicial districts and affected Members from Missouri and Mississippi.

The Congressional Budget Office states that H.R. 5512 will have ``only minimal administrative costs and thus no significant impact on the Federal budget.''

The only changes to the bill subsequent to our markup is the effective date. The local judges and the Judicial Conference asked Representative Bennie Thompson, the bill's sponsor, and the other members of the committee to include a 60-day delayed effective date. This provides the local judges in Mississippi and Missouri with more time to adjust their jury wheels to account for the new realignments. This is a good, commonsense change that helps with the administration of justice in the Northern District of Mississippi and the Eastern District of Missouri.

I hope, Mr. Speaker, that the Divisional Realignment Act of 2012 will be adopted by my colleagues, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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