Press Releases

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 786, bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), and Tony Gonzalez (TX-23). This bill would add Mount Vernon as a federal court location in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. 

Currently, the Western District of Washington has courthouses in Seattle and Tacoma and holds hearings in Bellingham and Vancouver. This change would make it easier for Skagit, Snohomish, and Island County residents to access federal justice system services and attend court hearings.

“Including Mount Vernon as a court location for the Western District of Washington is great news for residents of Skagit, Island and Snohomish counties who need to access the federal justice system. This will benefit many defendants, attorneys, witnesses and staff who live and work in Northwest Washington,” said DelBene and Larsen. “We urge the Senate to take up this sensible proposal soon.” 

The additional court location is supported by the judges of the Western District of Washington, the U.S. Attorney for Western Washington, the Federal Public Defender for Western Washington, the U.S. Marshals Service, federal law enforcement agents who come to court, the Skagit County Bar Association, and the Whatcom County Bar Association. 

Larsen and DelBene previously introduced similar legislation in the 117th Congress and 116th Congress.  

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. 

The full text of the bill can be found here.