Wilmington, DE - Today, the Senate passed a bill introduced by U.S. Senator Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will be signed into law by President Trump in the next 10 days. Sen. Coons’ bill extends Delaware’s five temporary bankruptcy judgeships for five years. The bill also adds two temporary bankruptcy judgeships for Delaware. These extensions and additions come at a critical time to assist in handling one of the busiest districts in the country, given that Delaware has only one permanent bankruptcy judge. The bill provides extensions for 14 temporary judgeships and creates four new bankruptcy judgeships total across the country.
“These judgeships are critical to ensuring that individuals and corporations can go through bankruptcy efficiently,” said Sen. Coons. “When they can’t, it means lost jobs and lost revenue.”
“I am pleased this bipartisan law will give our bankruptcy courts the judges they need to manage pressing caseloads,” Sen. Coons continued. “Delaware has rightly earned its reputation for having one of the most highly regarded bankruptcy courts in the country, and this law ensures that our court has the additional judgeships it needs to administer justice.”
“Every year, thousands of individuals and business from every state turn to the bankruptcy court system for relief from burdensome debt that threatens to cast families into poverty and close businesses,” said American Bar Association President Hilarie Bass. “The ABA commends Senator Coons for his leadership in crafting a bipartisan solution and shepherding this vital legislation to passage.”
Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight, Agency Action, Federal Rights and Federal Courts.
This is Sen. Coons’ first bill passed in the new presidential administration.