Flake, Salmon Introduce Bill To Split 9th Circuit Court

PHOENIX (AP) — A U.S. senator and U.S. representative from Arizona have introduced legislation to break up the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Sen. Jeff Flake and Rep. Matt Salmon say the court is oversized and overworked.

Efforts to split the circuit covering the Western U.S. have been floated for decades but failed in Congress because of Democratic opposition.

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein called a 2005 effort politically motivated.

Flake and Salmon, both Republicans, want to move Arizona, Nevada, Montana, Idaho and Alaska into a newly established 12th Circuit. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey supports the effort.