No split, no judges?

Today's DJ has Republicans Bundle New Judgeships, 9th Circuit Breakup Plan in One Bill: United States federal courts need new bench officers, some districts desperately. And congressional Republicans are hoping that the urgency of the situation will give them a chance to make happen something they have sought for years: a breakup of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

[Alaska Senator Dan] Sullivan’s plan — introduced with five other senators — keeps California, Guam, Hawaii and the Northern Mariana Islands in the 9th Circuit.

A new 12th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals headquartered in Seattle would consist of Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

It would also create four new seats for the new 9th Circuit and one for the 12th Circuit and adopts recommendations for 52 other district seats proposed by the Judicial Conference.