To authorize additional district judges for the district courts and convert temporary judgeships.
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
IntroducedMr. Young (for himself, Mr. Coons, Mr. Lankford, and Mr. …
Summary
What This Bill Does
The JUDGES Act (Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act) authorizes 66 new federal district court judgeships across the United States to address a severe judicial backlog. It creates permanent judgeships in two phases (2025 and 2029), establishes temporary judgeships in Oklahoma, and converts existing temporary judgeships to permanent positions. This represents the first comprehensive judgeship legislation since 1990, addressing a 30% increase in federal court filings.
Who Benefits and How
- Federal courts and judges: Reduced caseloads allow courts to function more effectively, with fewer cases per judge (currently averaging 491 weighted case filings per judgeship)
- Litigants and the public: Faster resolution of federal cases, including criminal proceedings, civil rights claims, and business disputes
- States receiving new judges: California (receiving the most at 22 new judgeships), Texas (12), Florida (9), New York (5), and others benefit from increased judicial capacity
Who Bears the Burden and How
- Federal government/taxpayers: Must fund approximately 66 new judge salaries, staff, and courtroom facilities
- The President and Senate: Must undertake the process of nominating and confirming dozens of new judges
- Congress: Must appropriate funds for the new positions
Key Provisions
- Creates 32 new permanent district judgeships effective January 21, 2025
- Creates 29 additional permanent judgeships effective January 21, 2029
- Establishes 3 temporary judgeships for Oklahoma (eastern and northern districts)
- Converts 8 existing temporary judgeships to permanent positions in Arizona, California, Florida, New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas, and Missouri
- Extends temporary judgeships in northern Alabama and Kansas
Evidence Chain:
This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
Primary Purpose
This bill authorizes additional district judgeships for various districts in the United States and converts temporary judgeships to permanent ones.
Policy Domains
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
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