JUDGES Act

The Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved (JUDGES) Act proposes a significant expansion of the federal judiciary by creating 77 new district court judgeships across the United States. These positions would be added in two phases—one starting in 2025 and another in 2029—to address heavy caseloads in states such as Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas. Additionally, the bill would convert several existing temporary judge positions into permanent ones and require a federal audit of courthouse space to ensure resources are being used efficiently.

For the average citizen, this bill aims to reduce the significant backlog in the federal court system, which often causes years of delays in civil and criminal cases. By increasing the number of judges in overworked districts, the legislation seeks to speed up the legal process, allowing individuals and businesses to resolve legal disputes and access justice more quickly. This expansion is intended to ensure that the federal courts have the necessary manpower to handle modern caseloads effectively.