Issa Leads Legislation to Solve Backlogged Courts

WASHINGTON – Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, introduced the Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2024 (JUDGES Act), which will add critically needed federal judgeships to resolve currently understaffed and backlogged courts.

“A severe shortage of judges eventually delivers an array of complications to our courts – and over time, the problem only grows worse until justice is routinely delayed and therefore denied,” said Rep. Issa. "The JUDGES Act will deliver immediate relief, a longer-term solution, and a sustainable plan that will prevent this crisis from happening again.”

The JUDGES Act will:

• Create 63 permanent judgeships in six phases from 2025-2035
• Add three temporary district court judgeships in Oklahoma
• Task GAO with evaluating the efficiency of federal courts and assessing detention space needs
• Require the Judicial Conference to publicly release its judicial seat recommendations and methodology
• Authorize additional federal case locations in Utah, Texas, and California to improve access for larger districts

This legislation is co-led by Representatives Nehls, Nadler, and Johnson. Additional original cosponsors include Representatives Lee (FL), Bacon, Van Drew, Valadao, Maloy, Hinson, Kim (CA), LaLota, Owens, Weber, Green (TX), Castor, Bentz, Bice, De La Cruz, Ciscomani, Simpson, Hunt, and Obernolte.

“To ensure the orderly administration of justice, Congress must pass the bipartisan JUDGES Act,” said Congressman Nehls. “Our federal district courts are experiencing severe judicial shortages, causing many Americans, including Texans, to be denied access to our nation’s justice system due to an increase in population and a rise in federal case filings. This is unacceptable. As of March 2023, the Texas federal district court system has a backlog of 14,501 civil cases and 16,436 criminal cases. The bipartisan JUDGES Act would authorize additional federal courtroom locations and judgeships in several states across the country, including Texas, to address this inefficiency.”

“Our federal courts, including those in Georgia, are understaffed and overwhelmed,” said Subcommittee Ranking Member Johnson. Massive backlogs and delays caused by this shortage of federal judges are symptoms of a judicial crisis that can be ended by Congress today. I’m looking forward to working with Chairman Issa to get this bill to the President’s desk and ensure Americans across the country can continue to access the courthouse doors.”

“The overwhelming backlog of cases facing federal district courts across our country is paralyzing our justice system,” said Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the JUDGES Act, which will authorize the new judgeships necessary to allow cases to be adjudicated swiftly, address the backlog, and get our district court system moving again.”

“Our federal courts have an unsustainable, multi-year case backlog because of judicial staffing shortages, which has become a huge source of frustration for law enforcement throughout the Central Valley,” said Congressman Valadao. “The JUDGES Act would add desperately needed judgeships to California’s Eastern District Court, alleviating some of the unsustainable workload on current judges and making the justice system more responsive to current needs. It’s past time for Congress to act on this issue and I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort.”

“Our federal district courts are burdened by overwhelming caseloads so we must add new judges to fix it,” said Rep. Bacon. “It is unfair for people with a case in federal district court to have it delayed because we don’t have enough judges.”

“Utahns raised concerns with me about the distance they have to travel to get to court or participate on a jury. That’s why I worked to ensure the Judges Act includes a provision allowing court to be held in Moab and Monticello, Utah. This is representative government in action,” said Rep. Maloy.

“Delays in court cases due to understaffing have led to serious public concerns and distrust of our justice system,” said Rep. Kim. “I’m proud to join Rep. Issa to introduce the JUDGES Act to add more judges, avoid delays, and ensure a transparent, effective U.S. justice system that works as intended.”  

“Iowans and all Americans have a fundamental right to swift and efficient court proceedings. By adding new federal judgeships across the country, including Iowa, we can help deliver justice and transparency for Iowans, particularly in our rural communities,” said Rep. Hinson.

The Judges Act follows legislation Rep. Issa introduced in March of this year – The Federal Judgeship Act of 2024 – that adopts the recommendations of the Judicial Conference’s 2023 Report to provide relief to the overburdened judicial system.

The Senate companion of the JUDGES Act (S. 4199), introduced by Senators Young and Coons, passed the Senate on August 1, 2024.

A one-pager of the bill is available here.

Read the text of the bill here.