HR1702-119

What This Bill Does

The JUDGES Act of 2025 responds to rising federal district court caseloads. Congress finds that no new district court judgeship has been created since 2003, no comprehensive judgeship legislation has been enacted since 1990, district court filings rose 30 percent by fiscal year 2022, and there were 686,797 pending district court cases as of March 31, 2023, with 491 weighted case filings per judgeship. The bill directs the President, with Senate advice and consent, to appoint additional district judges in multiple phases. The first wave takes effect on enactment and includes judgeships for the Central, Eastern, and Northern Districts of California, Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Southern District of Indiana, Northern District of Iowa, New Jersey, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of Texas, and Southern District of Texas. Later waves take effect on January 21 of 2027, 2029, 2031, and 2033, adding judgeships in districts including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Colorado, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, New Jersey, and Texas. The bill updates the 28 U.S.C. 133(a) district judgeship table. It requires GAO reports within two years on judicial workload measures, non-case-related activities, senior judge policies, and federal detention-space needs. It also requires the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, consulting the Judicial Conference, to make the biennial Article III Judgeship Recommendations report and supporting appendixes publicly available for free.

Who Benefits and How

Federal district courts with high caseloads benefit from phased additional judgeships. Litigants in affected districts benefit if more judges reduce delays and improve case processing. Judges and court staff benefit from workload relief in districts identified by the Judicial Conference. The Judicial Conference benefits because its Article III judgeship recommendations must be published with supporting data. Congress benefits from GAO reports on workload methodology, senior-judge policies, and detention-space needs. Federal agencies needing detention space benefit from a required GAO assessment of acquisition challenges.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The President must nominate additional district judges, and the Senate must consider confirmations. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts must update public reporting and publish biennial judgeship recommendation materials. GAO must conduct multiple studies and report to the Judiciary Committees. Taxpayers bear costs associated with new judgeships, chambers, staff, and court operations. District courts receiving new judgeships must integrate new judges, courtrooms, chambers, and administrative support. Federal detention agencies must provide information for GAO's detention-space assessment.

Key Provisions

• Establishes congressional findings on district court caseload growth and pending cases.
• Directs phased appointment of additional district judges beginning at enactment and on January 21 of 2027, 2029, 2031, and 2033.
• Updates the statutory district judgeship table in 28 U.S.C. 133(a).
• Adds judgeships across districts in California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Colorado, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.
• Requires GAO reports on judicial workload measures, non-case activities, and senior judge policies.
• Requires GAO assessment of federal detention-space needs and acquisition challenges.
• Requires public access to Judicial Conference Article III judgeship recommendation reports and appendixes.