Hoosier State Today

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) have announced the passage of their Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved (JUDGES) Act of 2024 by the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. The bipartisan bill, as amended, passed unanimously and will now proceed to the full Senate for a vote.

The JUDGES Act of 2024 aims to address judicial emergencies and shortages nationwide by increasing the number of federal district judges in the most overburdened regions, including the Southern District of Indiana. Senator Young remarked, "Too many Hoosiers and Americans are being denied access to our justice system due to an overload of cases and a shortage of judges. Our bipartisan bill will help alleviate this shortage and ensure all Americans have the opportunity to have their day in court."

Young emphasized that he and Senator Coons collaborated with colleagues to ensure fair distribution of additional judgeships across multiple presidential administrations. He stated, "Today’s unanimous vote on our amended bill is a testament to bipartisanship and common-sense legislating. I urge the full Senate to pass this important legislation as soon as possible."

Senator Coons expressed his satisfaction with the committee's action: "I’m delighted that the Senate Judiciary Committee has gotten serious about the crisis facing overworked judges across the country today by taking up and advancing my bipartisan JUDGES Act to the Senate floor." He highlighted that Congress has failed to add new federal judgeships in response to rising caseloads, particularly noting Delaware's burden with only four active judgeships.

Young initially introduced this legislation in 2020, re-introducing it in 2021 and 2023. The JUDGES Act of 2024 is based on findings from a nonpartisan report by the Judicial Conference of the United States in 2023, which recommended creating new judgeships during future presidential elections. The bill includes updates on structure and timing for these new positions, additional transparency requirements, and provisions aimed at ensuring greater access to justice in high-need areas.

As of March 31, 2023, there were 686,797 pending cases in federal district courts across America, averaging 491 filings per judgeship over a year-long period. In response to this backlog, the Judicial Conference recommended Congress create 66 new district court judgeships—including one for Indiana's Southern District—to alleviate pressures.

Congress last authorized new district court judgeships two decades ago; comprehensive authorization was last enacted in 1990. Targeted legislation between 1999 and 2003 added another 34 district court positions.

In addition to Senators Young and Coons, Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) also cosponsored the JUDGES Act of 2024.