Impeaching Eleanor L. Ross, Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, for high crimes and misdemeanors.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1346
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Law
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-08: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-23T02:10:30Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H. Res. 1346
Purpose of the Legislation
This resolution seeks to impeach Eleanor L. Ross, a United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia, for high crimes and misdemeanors. It formally presents an article of impeachment to the Senate, initiating the constitutional removal process for alleged misconduct while in office.
Key Provisions Outlined
- The resolution accuses Judge Ross of making material false and misleading statements during an investigation into her conduct.
- It details that between October 2023 and October 2025, Judge Ross engaged in sexual intercourse with a high-ranking Atlanta Police Department official in her courthouse chambers during business hours, within earshot of staff, while presiding over criminal cases.
- The document states that on September 30, 2025, Eleventh Circuit Chief Judge William Pryor appointed a Special Committee after receiving a complaint, which found that Judge Ross lied to Chief Judge Pryor and Chief District Judge Leigh Martin May by denying the activity and claiming uncertainty about the allegations.
- It notes that Judge Ross later admitted the falsehoods only after the Special Committee conducted reviews of security footage, sign-in logs, interviews, chamber inspections, and lab testing.
- The resolution concludes that these actions show misconduct, including sexual conduct in the office during business hours and statements that hindered the investigation, rendering her unfit for office.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
This resolution does not amend or alter any existing statutes. Instead, it applies the constitutional impeachment process under Article II, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution to a sitting federal judge, without creating new legal standards or requirements.
Potential Impacts on Government Agencies, Citizens, or International Relations
- Government agencies: The resolution could lead to the removal of a federal judge, affecting the operations of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia and requiring Senate proceedings that involve the House Judiciary Committee and other congressional resources.
- Citizens: If successful, it would result in the judge's removal from the bench, potentially impacting ongoing criminal cases she presided over and public trust in the federal judiciary.
- International relations: The document contains no provisions or implications related to international matters.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Judge Eleanor L. Ross, as the subject of the impeachment.
- The U.S. House of Representatives, which introduces and refers the resolution.
- The U.S. Senate, which would conduct any trial if articles are adopted.
- The federal judiciary, including the Eleventh Circuit and Northern District of Georgia, due to the investigation and potential vacancy.
- Judicial staff and the public, through effects on court administration and case handling.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The resolution invokes the constitutional authority of the House to impeach federal judges for "high crimes and misdemeanors," a process that can lead to Senate conviction and removal from office.
- It highlights issues of judicial misconduct and truthfulness in internal investigations, which could set precedents for how complaints against judges are handled under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act.
- Politically, the measure originates from a single representative and focuses on personal conduct in a federal courthouse, emphasizing the separation of powers in addressing judicial fitness.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Loudermilk, Barry [R-GA-11], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-08: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-06-08: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Impeaching Eleanor L. Ross, Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, for high crimes and misdemeanors. — issued 2026-06-08 — PDF (3 pages)