Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB2759

Introduced
9/11/23  

Caption

JUDGES Act Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act

Impact

If enacted, the JUDGES Act would modify the current judicial framework by creating new permanent district judgeships and converting temporary ones into permanent positions. This transformational change is intended to expedite the judicial process by alleviating the workload on current judges, thereby reducing waiting times for case resolutions. The bill represents a strategic effort by the federal government to enhance the efficiency of the court system and ensure timely justice for citizens, especially given the increase in litigation in recent years. This alignment with the recommendations of the Judicial Conference, which requested the creation of 66 new judgeships, demonstrates a legislative response to the judicial crisis.

Summary

SB2759, known as the 'Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act' or 'JUDGES Act,' aims to address the issue of judicial understaffing in federal district courts. It seeks to authorize the appointment of additional district judges across various districts to mitigate the growing backlog of cases. Notably, the bill highlights that it has been over two decades since Congress last created new judgeships, reflecting a significant gap during which court filings have surged by 30%. With nearly 700,000 pending cases in federal district courts, the necessity for this legislation has become glaringly evident.

Contention

While the bill garners support for its aim to strengthen the judiciary, it could also face scrutiny regarding the distribution of judgeships among various districts, as well as the associated budgetary implications of expanding the federal judiciary. Concerns about the adequacy of funding for additional judgeships or the potential disparities in judicial resources among states may emerge as contentious points in discussions about the enactment of this bill. Furthermore, the emphasis on efficiency raises debates about the balance between swift justice and its impact on judicial thoroughness.

Companion Bills

US SB4199

Related Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2024 JUDGES Act of 2024

Previously Filed As

US SB4199

Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2024 JUDGES Act of 2024

US HB9625

JUDGES Act of 2024 Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2024

US HB1702

JUDGES Act of 2025 Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2025

US HB1929

JUDGES Act of 2025 Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2025

US HB270

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judgeship and Reorganization Act of 2023 This bill divides the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit into two judicial circuits: (1) the Ninth Circuit, and (2) a new Twelfth Circuit. The Ninth Circuit is composed of California, Guam, Hawaii, and Northern Mariana Islands. The new Twelfth Circuit is composed of Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

US SB1878

Judicial Efficiency Improvement Act

US HB634

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judgeship and Reorganization Act of 2025

US HB980

Washington, D.C. Residents Voting Act

US HB7597

Federal Judgeship Act of 2024

US HB51

Washington, D.C. Admission Act This bill provides for the admission of the state of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth into the United States. The commonwealth consists of all the territory of the District of Columbia (DC), excluding certain federal property. The excluded property shall be known as the Capital and serve as the seat of federal government; it includes the principal federal monuments, the White House, the Capitol Building, the Supreme Court Building, and the federal office buildings located adjacent to the Mall and Capitol Building. In addition, the bill maintains the federal government's authority over military lands and specified other property and prohibits the commonwealth from taxing federal property except as permitted by Congress. Within 30 days of this bill's enactment, the DC mayor must call for the election of two Senators and one Representative for the commonwealth. The commonwealth shall be admitted into the United States upon a presidential proclamation announcing the results of that election. The bill applies current DC laws to the commonwealth and continues pending judicial proceedings. It also continues certain federal authorities and responsibilities, including regarding employee benefits, agencies, and courts, until the commonwealth certifies that it is prepared to take over those authorities and responsibilities. Further, the bill provides for expedited consideration of a joint resolution to repeal the Twenty-third Amendment to the Constitution (which allows DC citizens to vote in presidential elections). The bill also establishes a commission to advise the President, Congress, and DC and commonwealth leaders on the transition.

Similar Bills

US SB4199

Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2024 JUDGES Act of 2024

US HB1702

JUDGES Act of 2025 Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2025

US HB1929

JUDGES Act of 2025 Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2025

US HB9625

JUDGES Act of 2024 Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2024

US HB7597

Federal Judgeship Act of 2024

US SB3998

Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act of 2024

US HB7747

Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act of 2024

US HB1856

CASE LOAD Act of 2025 Creating Additional Seats to Ease Legally Overburdened Adjudicators’ Dockets Act of 2025