Summary of H.R. 7634: Limiting Nationality of Federal Judges

Overview

H.R. 7634, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on February 20, 2026, proposes to amend Title 28 of the United States Code to restrict the eligibility of persons to serve as federal judges based on their nationality.

Key Provisions

The bill would establish that only U.S. citizens would be eligible to be appointed as judges of the United States. This would include judges serving on the Supreme Court, U.S. district courts, U.S. courts of appeal, and other federal judicial bodies.

The legislation does not provide any exceptions or waivers to this nationality requirement. It would apply to all new judicial appointments made after the bill's potential enactment.

Potential Impact

If enacted, H.R. 7634 would effectively prevent non-U.S. citizens, including permanent residents and naturalized citizens, from being appointed to federal judgeships. This could limit the pool of qualified candidates for these important positions and reduce diversity on the federal bench.

The bill does not address the status of any currently serving federal judges who may not be U.S. citizens. It is unclear whether this legislation, if passed, would require the removal or replacement of any existing non-citizen judges.

Procedural Aspects

As an introduced bill, H.R. 7634 has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary for further consideration. No additional legislative actions or a timeline for potential votes have been specified.

The bill would need to pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and be signed into law by the President, in order to take effect. Its prospects for advancement through the legislative process are unclear based on the information provided.