A new bill would provide funding for a new federal courthouse in Nashville if Congress passes it later this week.
December 11 was the deadline for Congress to pass a new budget. But lawmakers could not come to terms on deal, so instead they passed a continuing resolution that will keep the government running until Wednesday.
U.S. Representative Jim Cooper, who’s been championing Nashville's proposed courthouse for years, said the funding was included in the omnibus spending bill – which will be voted on later this week.
The existing Estes Kefauver Federal Courthouse was first deemed inadequate in 1992.
There are several safety concerns with the courthouse, which dates back to 1952. The structure is too close to the street, while judges, jurors and defendants all share the same hallways.
Cooper also praised Sen. Lamar Alexander, who’s on the Senate Appropriations Committee, for his leadership.
"Sen. Alexander was essential in our efforts, and I thank him for his leadership," Rep. Cooper said in a statement. "For safety reasons, Nashville has to have a new courthouse, and we've needed one for more than 20 years. This is a huge win for our city."
The new courthouse would sit on property the federal government owns between Church Street and Commerce Street, and 7th Avenue North and Rosa L. Parks Boulevard.
