119-HR-3426 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary — 119-HR-3426 (CASE Act of 2025)

Headline Summary: The CASE Act aims to cut courthouse construction costs by making judges share courtrooms and by requiring full use of existing space before adding new capacity. [1]Library of Congress — Text of H.R.3426 (Referred in Senate) — Congress.gov

What It Does: The bill tells the General Services Administration (GSA) not to start building any new federal courthouse unless the design includes courtroom-sharing—for example, two courtrooms for every three active district judges—and it updates the U.S. Courts Design Guide within 180 days to reflect that policy. It also says if a new building would add space, existing space in the same complex must be fully used or given back. [1]Library of Congress — Text of H.R.3426 (Referred in Senate) — Congress.gov

Why It Matters: Supporters say sharing reduces overbuilding and long‑term costs for taxpayers. Government watchdogs have repeatedly found that more courtroom sharing can shrink the size and cost of projects, while recent changes to courthouse design standards may otherwise make future courthouses larger and pricier. [2]U.S. Government Accountability Office — GAO-10-417: Federal Courthouse Construc…[3]U.S. Government Accountability Office — GAO-25-108406: Courthouse Construction…

Who’s For It:

• Sponsor Rep. Jefferson Shreve (R‑IN) says the bill reins in courthouse costs; it passed the House by voice vote under suspension, signaling bipartisan backing. [4]Library of Congress — H.R.3426 overview page — Congress.gov[5]Library of Congress — H.R.3426 All Actions (updated Nov. 19, 2025) — Congress.g…
• Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D‑DC) is listed as a cosponsor, reflecting cross‑party support on public‑buildings policy. [6]LegiScan — US HB3426 summary and cosponsor list — LegiScan
• House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee advanced the bill without amendment by voice vote after a hearing with GAO, the judiciary, and GSA on courthouse costs. [7]U.S. Government Publishing Office — House Report 119-240 on H.R.3426 — govinfo.…

Who’s Against It: There’s no recorded floor vote against it, but some judges and judiciary officials have raised concerns that aggressive courtroom‑sharing can complicate scheduling and that added circulation space in newer design standards was adopted to address safety risks inside courthouses. [2]U.S. Government Accountability Office — GAO-10-417: Federal Courthouse Construc…[8]Reuters — New U.S. courthouse design standards to result in higher costs, watch…

What’s Next: On November 19, 2025, the Senate discharged the Environment and Public Works Committee and, by unanimous consent, returned the bill’s papers to the House. That means it is not law; the House would need to decide its next step (e.g., changes or a new vote), and both chambers would still have to pass the same text before it could go to the President. [5]Library of Congress — H.R.3426 All Actions (updated Nov. 19, 2025) — Congress.g…