Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 3034, legislation introduced by Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Rick Larsen (WA-02) that would add Mount Vernon as a court location in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington by voice vote.

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

“Including Mount Vernon as a court location for the Western District of Washington will make it easier for residents of Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties to access our federal justice system while saving them time and travel expenses. This will benefit many defendants, attorneys, and witnesses who live and work in Northwest Washington,” said DelBene and Larsen. “We’d like to thank our colleagues in the House for their bipartisan support on this bill and urge the Senate to take up this sensible proposal quickly.”

The legislation 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.

H.R. 3034 now goes to the Senate. The bill’s text can be read here.

###