Cornyn, Cruz bill to allow federal court proceedings in West Texas signed into law

WASHINGTON U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) released the following statements after their Improving Access to Our Courts Act to allow federal court proceedings to be conducted at the U.S. District Court in Alpine, which is one of the seven U.S. District Courts for the Western District of Texas and serves nine Texas counties, was signed into law:

“The Improving Access to Our Courts Act will help ensure our nation’s judicial system is more accessible to Texans in the Big Bend region,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I am glad this bill was signed into law as it improves judicial efficiency and provides West Texans with easier access to a federal courthouse near their community.”

“I am proud to have worked with my Texan colleagues to increase accessibility to our federal courts for victims, parties, counsel, and the general public,” said Sen. Cruz. “Through this needed addition, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas is now able to provide more efficient service to the people of West Texas, allowing them to seek redress without needing to drive for several hours to the nearest federal courthouse.”

Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) are also cosponsors of the bill. U.S. Representatives Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Rick Larsen (WA-02), and Suzan DelBene (WA-01) led the legislation in the House.

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.