Federal judges, prosecutors, marshals, and clerks in D.C. would lose their special exemption from residency rules. They would have to live in the area they serve, just like their counterparts in most other federal districts. Only future appointees are affected.
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District of Columbia Federal Judicial Officials Residency Equality Act of 2025 is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Latest action on H.R. 565: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects future federal court officials who would serve in Washington, D.C. Anyone appointed as a circuit judge, district judge, U.S. attorney, marshal, or court clerk in D.C. after the bill passes would need to live in the area they serve, just like officials in most other districts.
Why this matters: D.C. federal court officials currently play by different residency rules than their peers across the country. This bill would end that unequal treatment, but it could also shrink the pool of people willing or able to take these positions if they do not already live in the district. The real-world effects on hiring and court operations are unclear.
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
