hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Raises minimum for federal diversity lawsuits to $500,000.
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL)
Introduced in House, awaiting committee review
This bill proposes to increase the minimum amount of money in dispute for certain lawsuits, known as diversity jurisdiction cases, to be heard in federal courts from $75,000 to $500,000. These cases typically involve citizens from different states. The bill was introduced by Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat from Florida, and has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary for consideration.
Introduced Apr 22, 2026
H.R. 8449 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on April 22, 2026. It has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary, which will review the bill and decide if it should move forward. For it to become law, it must pass both the House and the Senate, and then be signed by the President.
If this bill becomes law, individuals or businesses involved in lawsuits where the parties are from different states would need to have more than $500,000 in dispute to file their case in federal court. This means that many disputes currently eligible for federal court (between $75,000 and $500,000) would instead be heard in state courts. The new financial requirement would only apply to civil lawsuits started on or after the bill's enactment date.
Supporters Say
Supporters might argue this change helps reduce the federal court workload and focuses federal resources on higher-value cases.
Critics Say
Critics might contend it limits access to federal courts for citizens involved in significant interstate disputes under $500,000.
Proponents of raising the amount for federal diversity jurisdiction often claim it would allow federal courts to concentrate on cases involving more substantial financial stakes or unique federal issues. They also suggest it could streamline the federal court system. Opponents, however, could argue that such a change might make it harder for individuals and smaller businesses to resolve disputes fairly in a neutral federal setting, potentially pushing more complex interstate cases into overburdened state courts.