What This Bill Does
This House resolution seeks to impeach John McConnell, Jr., the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, for alleged high crimes and misdemeanors. If adopted, it would initiate the constitutional impeachment process in the House against a sitting federal judge. The practical effect would be to move the matter to the House Judiciary Committee for review and possible further action. It directly concerns the federal judiciary and, if it advanced, could affect judicial accountability and the operation of the court.
- Impeaches John McConnell, Jr., Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island.
- Uses the constitutional standard of "high crimes and misdemeanors."
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on June 9, 2026.
- Introduced in the House by Rep. W. Gregory Steube of Florida.
- No cosponsors are listed.
Who This Bill Affects
For most people, this resolution has no direct day-to-day effect unless they have a case in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island or are otherwise involved in matters before that court. If it were to advance, it could affect the judge’s ability to continue hearing cases and could change how litigants experience the court’s stability and leadership. The main practical impact is on the federal judiciary rather than on household finances or eligibility for any program.
See how this bill affects you — sign in for a personalized analysisWho Supports & Opposes This
- Constituents concerned about judicial misconduct Supporters argue that impeachment is necessary when a federal judge is believed to have seriously abused the public trust. They see the resolution as a constitutional accountability measure that protects litigants and the integrity of the courts.
- Legal reform advocates This group may argue that Congress must be willing to use its impeachment power when judicial behavior threatens confidence in the justice system. They view formal proceedings as a way to investigate facts publicly and deter misconduct by other judges.
- Partisan critics of the judge Some supporters may believe the judge’s actions warrant immediate congressional review because ordinary disciplinary mechanisms are not enough. They argue that the House should not ignore allegations involving a life-tenured federal judge.
- Judicial independence advocates Opponents may argue that impeachment should be reserved for clear, extraordinary misconduct, not used as a response to controversial rulings or political disagreement. They worry that aggressive impeachment efforts can chill independent judging.
- Court users and legal practitioners Lawyers and litigants may oppose the resolution if they believe it could disrupt court operations or create uncertainty for pending cases. They often prefer that complaints about judges be handled through established judicial discipline channels unless the facts are extreme.
- Civil liberties and institutional norms advocates This group may argue that frequent or partisan impeachment threats weaken public trust in the separation of powers. They caution that normalizing impeachment against judges can make the judiciary appear more political than neutral.
Key Implications
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“"Impeaching John McConnell, Jr., Chief Judge"”
This identifies a specific federal judge as the subject of a constitutional removal process. If the House were to act further, the judge’s tenure and ability to continue serving could be directly at stake.
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“"for high crimes and misdemeanors"”
This is the impeachment standard used for federal officers. In practice, it signals that the House is alleging conduct serious enough to justify formal constitutional proceedings, not just routine criticism.
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“"Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary"”
The Judiciary Committee is the first stop for review, investigation, and possible drafting of articles of impeachment. That means the resolution is in the committee stage, where members can examine the allegations and decide whether to move forward.
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“"Submitted in House"”
The measure has been formally introduced in the chamber. That is the procedural step that allows it to be considered by the House and sent to committee.
Latest Status
June 9, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
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Ask AI about this billData sourced from api.congress.gov.