Kings County Times

Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) has joined Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) in introducing the Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved (JUDGES) Act. The legislation aims to address the multi-year backlogs currently plaguing federal district courts across the country due to judicial staffing shortages by creating 63 new permanent district court judgeships.

“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.”

“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 Congressman Issa. “The JUDGES Act will deliver immediate relief, a longer-term solution, and a sustainable plan that will prevent this crisis from happening again.”

California’s Eastern District Court, which encompasses the entire Central Valley, would receive an additional four judgeships if the JUDGES Act becomes law. As of June 30, 2024, America’s federal district courts have 724,209 pending cases with 554 weighted filings per judgeship. Congress last authorized new district court judgeships more than two decades ago despite population growth and a corresponding rise in federal case filings.

In 2023, the Judicial Conference of the United States recommended that Congress create 66 new district court judgeships. The JUDGES Act seeks to implement these recommendations during multiple future presidential administrations while adding new transparency and best practice requirements.

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

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