Honoring Circuit Judge Pauline Newman Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill proposes naming a specific courtroom in Washington, D.C., after Judge Pauline Newman. She has served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit for over 40 years and is the oldest active federal judge in American history.
• Judge Newman is recognized as a pioneer for women in both science and law. Before becoming a judge, she was a research scientist with a doctorate in chemistry and served as the head of the patent department for a major U.S. corporation.
• The bill honors her work writing more than 1,000 legal opinions. Many of her ideas have been adopted by the Supreme Court, and she is known for her influential writing on patent law and innovation.
• This action is ceremonial and serves to recognize her decades of public service and mentorship. It does not change any existing laws or require significant government spending.

Impact Analysis

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