WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The U.S. House has approved the break-up of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco into three circuits, a move critics said was political.
In a 205-104 vote Tuesday that critics said was motivated by conservative anger over the court's perceived liberal bias, the House approved a measure that would leave only California and Hawaii within the circuit.
"Today's action is the latest in a series of attacks against an independent federal judiciary for partisan purposes," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday. "On the merits, there is no justification for the court splitting proposal."
But Republicans argue that the move is needed because the district has become large and unwieldy, although some admit they also have problems with the court's liberal tendencies.
Currently seven other states -- Arizona, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon and Washington -- are also covered by the appeals courts.
Under the GOP plan, Arizona, Idaho, Montana and Nevadawould be grouped into one new circuit and Alaska, Oregon and Washington in the other.
California's Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and a majority of 9th circuit judges have opposed the move.
The Senate must still approve the measure, and there action on the bill is not likely to come this year.
