Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill for First Major Expansion of Federal Judgeships Since 1990

Aug 1, 2024, 08:34 PM

The Senate has unanimously passed a bipartisan bill to create 66 new federal district court judgeships across the United States. This legislation, known as the JUDGES Act, was shepherded by Indiana Senator Todd Young and Delaware Senator Chris Coons, and aims to address the increasing workloads faced by federal judges in a nonpartisan way. The bill, S. 4199, will authorize additional district judges and convert temporary judgeships, with the new positions being phased in between 2025 and 2035. This marks the first major expansion of the judiciary since 1990 and a significant bipartisan effort to alleviate the caseloads in overburdened districts and ensure the justice system remains accessible. The bill now awaits approval from the House of Representatives.