The JUDGES Act of 2025 addresses judicial understaffing by authorizing the appointment of additional district judges across multiple states over the next decade, adjusting court locations in Texas and California, and requiring reports on judicial workloads and detention space needs.
Henry "Hank" Johnson
Representative
GA-4
The JUDGES Act of 2025 authorizes the appointment of additional district judges across multiple states between 2029 and 2039 to address increasing caseloads. It also amends the organization of Texas and California district courts and requires the Comptroller General to submit reports on judicial caseloads and detention space needs. Furthermore, the Act mandates the public accessibility of the Judicial Conference of the United States' Article III Judgeship Recommendations report.
JUDGES Act of 2025: Court Backlogs Get Relief with New Judges, Funding, and Transparency Measures
The "Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2025," or JUDGES Act, tackles the growing problem of overloaded courts. The core issue? Not enough judges to handle the increasing number of cases, leading to significant delays. This bill directly addresses that by authorizing the creation of new district court judgeships across the country, phased in from 2029 through 2039.
Clearning the Courts
The JUDGES Act lays out a schedule for adding judges to specific districts, starting in 2029. For example, California's Central, Eastern, and Northern Districts will each get one new judge in that first wave. Other states like Delaware, Florida, Indiana, and New York are also on the list for new judges in 2029. (SEC. 3). The plan continues adding judges in stages through 2039, targeting areas with the greatest need. It's not just about adding positions; the bill also authorizes funding to support these new roles, starting at over $12 million in 2029 and increasing over time to account for inflation (SEC. 3). This is a long term plan. The last time congress created district court judgeships was in 2003. (SEC. 2).
Real-World Impact
Imagine you're a small business owner caught in a contract dispute, or a family waiting for a crucial immigration hearing. These are the kinds of cases that can get bogged down for years due to court backlogs. More judges mean cases can be heard faster, reducing stress and uncertainty for everyone involved. Think of it like adding more checkout lanes to a busy grocery store – things move more smoothly for everyone. The bill also addresses practical issues, like adding "College Station" to the list of locations where Texas district courts can be held (SEC. 4), and including "El Centro" for the Southern District of California (SEC. 5), potentially making it easier for people to access the courts.
Watching the Watchdogs
The JUDGES Act doesn't just throw judges at the problem; it also includes checks and balances. The Comptroller General is tasked with producing reports on judicial workloads and federal detention space needs (SEC. 6). These reports are meant to ensure that resources are being used effectively and to identify any ongoing challenges. Plus, the bill mandates that the Judicial Conference's recommendations for new judgeships be made public online, increasing transparency in the process (SEC. 7). It's like getting a receipt for your groceries – you can see exactly where the money is going and why.