U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls representing Texas' 22nd Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls representing Texas' 22nd Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22), along with Congressmen Darrell Issa (R-CA-48), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12), and Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), introduced the bipartisan Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved (JUDGES) Act of 2024. This legislation aims to address the understaffing and backlog issues plaguing federal district courts by adding critically needed judgeships.
As of June 30, 2024, there were 724,209 pending cases in federal district courts. Despite an increase in population and federal case filings, Congress last authorized new district court judgeships over two decades ago.
The JUDGES Act proposes several measures:
- Creation of 63 permanent judgeships in six phases from 2025 to 2035.
- Addition of three temporary district court judgeships in Oklahoma.
- Evaluation of federal court efficiency and detention space needs by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
- Requirement for the Judicial Conference to publicly release its judicial seat recommendations and methodology.
- Authorization of additional federal case locations in Utah, Texas, and California.
“To ensure the orderly administration of justice, Congress must pass the bipartisan JUDGES Act,” said Congressman Nehls. “Our federal district courts are experiencing severe judicial shortages, causing many Americans, including Texans, to be denied access to our nation’s justice system due to an increase in population and a rise in federal case filings. This is unacceptable. As of March 2023, the Texas federal district court system has a backlog of 14,501 civil cases and 16,436 criminal cases.”
“A severe shortage of judges eventually delivers an array of complications to our courts – and over time, the problem only grows worse until justice is routinely delayed and therefore denied,” said Congressman Issa. “The JUDGES Act will deliver immediate relief, a longer-term solution, and a sustainable plan that will prevent this crisis from happening again.”
“The overwhelming backlog of cases facing federal district courts across our country is paralyzing our justice system,” said Congressman Nadler. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the JUDGES Act, which will authorize the new judgeships necessary to allow cases to be adjudicated swiftly.”
“Our federal courts, including those in Georgia, are understaffed and overwhelmed,” said Congressman Johnson. “Massive backlogs and delays caused by this shortage of federal judges are symptoms of a judicial crisis that can be ended by Congress today.”
The JUDGES Act is cosponsored by Representatives Laurel Lee (R-FL-15), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-02), David Valadao (R-CA-22), Celeste Maloy (R-UT-02), Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02), Young Kim (R-CA-40), Nick LaLota (R-NY-01), Burgess Owens (R-UT-04), Randy Weber (R-TX14), Al Green (D-TX09), Kathy Castor(D-FL14) Cliff Bentz(R OR2 Stephanie Bice(R OK5 Monica De La Cruz(R TX15 Juan Ciscomani(R AZ6 Mike Simpson(R ID2 Wesley Hunt(R TX38 Jay Obernolte R CA23
The Senate companion bill was introduced by Senators Chris Coons D DE Todd Young R IN passed Senate on August
Read bill text HERE
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