Legis Daily

JUDGES Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-1929| House 
| Updated: 3/6/2025
Henry C. "Hank" Johnson

Henry C. "Hank" Johnson

Democratic Representative

Georgia

Cosponsors (3)
Jerrold Nadler (Democratic)Norma J. Torres (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill seeks to address the significant understaffing and increased caseloads within the United States district courts. Congress finds that no new district court judgeships have been created since 2003, marking the longest such period since 1789, despite a 30 percent increase in filings since the last comprehensive legislation in 1990. As of March 2023, there were over 686,000 pending cases, leading the Judicial Conference of the United States to recommend 66 new judgeships to alleviate the burden. The legislation authorizes the President to appoint a total of 66 new permanent district judges across various districts, implemented in six distinct phases from 2029 to 2039. For example, 11 judgeships are authorized for 2029, followed by 10 in 2031, 11 in 2033, 10 in 2035, 10 in 2037, and 8 in 2039. These appointments will amend Title 28 of the U.S. Code to reflect the increased number of judges in specific districts, including multiple districts in California , Florida , Texas , and New York , among others. In addition to new permanent positions, the bill converts one temporary district judgeship for the Eastern District of Oklahoma into a permanent one, with the first vacancy after five years not being filled. To fund these changes, the bill authorizes appropriations starting at over $12 million for fiscal years 2029-2030, escalating to over $61 million annually by fiscal year 2039 and thereafter, with an inflation adjustment mechanism. Furthermore, it makes minor organizational adjustments to the district courts in Texas and California, adding specific locations for court proceedings. The bill also mandates the Comptroller General of the United States to submit two reports to Congress within two years of enactment. One report will evaluate the accuracy of judicial caseload measures, the impact of non-case activities on workload, and the effectiveness of policies regarding senior judges. The second report will assess federal agencies' needs and efforts concerning detention space. Finally, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts is required to make the biennial "Article III Judgeship Recommendations of the Judicial Conference of the United States" report publicly available online, including its methodology and specific court information.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4885
JUDGES Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-9625
JUDGES Act of 2024
Mar 6, 2025
Introduced in House
Mar 6, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4885
    JUDGES Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-9625
    JUDGES Act of 2024


  • March 6, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • March 6, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Law

Related Bills

  • HR 119-1702: JUDGES Act of 2025
ArizonaCaliforniaColoradoCongressional oversightDelawareFederal district courtsFloridaGeorgiaGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsIdahoIndianaIowaJudgesNebraskaNew JerseyNew York StateOklahomaTexasUtah

JUDGES Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-1929| House 
| Updated: 3/6/2025
This bill seeks to address the significant understaffing and increased caseloads within the United States district courts. Congress finds that no new district court judgeships have been created since 2003, marking the longest such period since 1789, despite a 30 percent increase in filings since the last comprehensive legislation in 1990. As of March 2023, there were over 686,000 pending cases, leading the Judicial Conference of the United States to recommend 66 new judgeships to alleviate the burden. The legislation authorizes the President to appoint a total of 66 new permanent district judges across various districts, implemented in six distinct phases from 2029 to 2039. For example, 11 judgeships are authorized for 2029, followed by 10 in 2031, 11 in 2033, 10 in 2035, 10 in 2037, and 8 in 2039. These appointments will amend Title 28 of the U.S. Code to reflect the increased number of judges in specific districts, including multiple districts in California , Florida , Texas , and New York , among others. In addition to new permanent positions, the bill converts one temporary district judgeship for the Eastern District of Oklahoma into a permanent one, with the first vacancy after five years not being filled. To fund these changes, the bill authorizes appropriations starting at over $12 million for fiscal years 2029-2030, escalating to over $61 million annually by fiscal year 2039 and thereafter, with an inflation adjustment mechanism. Furthermore, it makes minor organizational adjustments to the district courts in Texas and California, adding specific locations for court proceedings. The bill also mandates the Comptroller General of the United States to submit two reports to Congress within two years of enactment. One report will evaluate the accuracy of judicial caseload measures, the impact of non-case activities on workload, and the effectiveness of policies regarding senior judges. The second report will assess federal agencies' needs and efforts concerning detention space. Finally, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts is required to make the biennial "Article III Judgeship Recommendations of the Judicial Conference of the United States" report publicly available online, including its methodology and specific court information.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4885
JUDGES Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-9625
JUDGES Act of 2024
Mar 6, 2025
Introduced in House
Mar 6, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4885
    JUDGES Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-9625
    JUDGES Act of 2024


  • March 6, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • March 6, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Henry C. "Hank" Johnson

Henry C. "Hank" Johnson

Democratic Representative

Georgia

Cosponsors (3)
Jerrold Nadler (Democratic)Norma J. Torres (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Law

Related Bills

  • HR 119-1702: JUDGES Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
ArizonaCaliforniaColoradoCongressional oversightDelawareFederal district courtsFloridaGeorgiaGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsIdahoIndianaIowaJudgesNebraskaNew JerseyNew York StateOklahomaTexasUtah