Sen. Wyden to introduce new legislation that would ban 'judge shopping'
Senator Ron Wyden is introducing new legislation that would ban what he calls "judge shopping."
The Fair Courts Act comes after last month's decision by a Texas federal judge to reverse approval of the popular abortion drug mifepristone.
Wyden says no federal judge should have this much power.
"When you had these anti abortion activists allowed to judge shop and put forth an illegitimate case in front of one judge 17-hundred miles from here, access to a safe and effective medication would effect nation wide! Nation wide... The choices women have!" Said the Senator. "No single judge oughta have that kind of power!"
Wyden says there has been a trend of activist plaintiffs seeking judges with the same political affiliation to receive a favorable ruling in their case.
The bill would prohibit a district court from granting nationwide relief unless the request is heard from a panel of three judges.
He says increasing transparency is the key to a fair case.
Wyden will introduce this legislation next week when the U.S. Senate is back in session.
