H.R. 5654 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Appropriations, Sep 30, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryKeeps D.C. courts running during budget gaps
This bill makes sure the District of Columbia courts and related agencies can keep operating if Congress doesn't pass a regular budget for them. It provides the money those courts need to continue their regular work, including funding for judges, public defenders, court supervision services, and other court-related agencies, so a federal budget deadlock won't shut down D.C.'s justice system.
How it affects you
If you live in Washington, D.C. and have legal matters, this means your court cases can move forward even if the federal government runs out of appropriated funds for a period. It primarily protects court operations in the District, ensuring that criminal and civil cases aren't delayed by budget disputes in Congress.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Sep 30, 2025)
This bill provides continuing appropriations to the District of Columbia courts and related agencies during any fiscal year in which appropriations have not otherwise been provided. (The continuing appropriations would exempt the courts and agencies from a government shutdown due to a lapse in appropriations for the federal government.)
The bill generally provides appropriations to continue programs and activities that were funded in the prior fiscal year. Specifically, the bill provides the continuing appropriations for federal payments to
• the District of Columbia Courts,
• defender services in District of Columbia courts,
• the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia,
• the District of Columbia Public Defender Service,
• the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and
• judicial commissions.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 5654
A BILL
To provide for interim appropriations for the District of Columbia courts and related agencies with respect to any fiscal year for which appropriations are not otherwise provided for such courts and agencies.
Sponsor: Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-At Large) · Introduced Sep 30, 2025 · Economics and Public Finance · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 30, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.”