New 13-judge panel would screen Supreme Court cases under HR 8992

What does this do?

HR 8992 would create a 13-judge rotating panel of federal appeals court judges to decide which cases the Supreme Court hears, replacing the current system in which the nine Justices make that decision themselves. One judge would be randomly selected from each of the 13 U.S. circuit courts, and no judge could serve two consecutive terms. At least four of the thirteen panel judges would need to agree before a case could be accepted, and the panel would be required to briefly explain each acceptance in writing.

Who does it affect?

Anyone who files a petition asking the Supreme Court to review their case would be affected, since the new panel rather than the Justices would make that gateway decision. The nine Supreme Court Justices would retain full authority to hear and decide every accepted case but would lose control over which cases reach their docket.

Why does it matter?

Separating the screening function from the Justices changes the institutional structure of the Supreme Court by placing an intermediate body between petitioners and the Court. Cases approved by the panel would automatically be placed on the Supreme Court's docket, removing Justices' discretion at the intake stage.

Where does it stand?