The leadership of the U.S. federal judiciary has expressed strong disappointment following President Joe Biden’s veto of the JUDGES Act, a bill designed to add 66 new judges to federal courts across the nation. This decision, made late Monday night, has drawn sharp criticism from judges and court reform advocates alike, who warn that it exacerbates the challenges facing the U.S. legal system.
U.S. District Judge Robert Conrad, Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, condemned the veto, calling it a “regrettable failure” by the Biden administration to address the judiciary’s growing workload. In a lengthy statement, Judge Conrad noted that the president’s veto would contribute to worsening backlogs and delays in the courts, which already suffer from mounting caseloads that are straining the system.
The JUDGES Act had garnered bipartisan support for its proposal to increase the number of trial court judges in 25 federal district courts across 13 states, including high-demand areas like California, Florida, and Texas. The bill aimed to address the fact that federal caseloads have increased by over 30% since Congress last passed significant judiciary reform in 1990. The bill’s provisions would have added judges in six waves, starting in 2024 and continuing through 2035.
Judge Conrad emphasized the necessity of this legislation, stating that it aligned with recommendations from the U.S. Judicial Conference, the body responsible for advising on judicial policy, which is headed by Chief U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts. In his statement, Conrad underscored the impact of the veto, which would have alleviated the burden on courts that continue to face record-high case volumes.
The JUDGES Act had been championed not only by members of both major political parties but also by hundreds of judges across the country. The Federal Judges Association and court reform group Fix the Court had urged President Biden to allow the bill to become law, citing its importance for the timely administration of justice.
“The failure to enact this legislation will likely delay the opportunity to pass a comprehensive judgeship bill for many years,” Judge Conrad warned, calling the veto a significant setback for the justice system.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane, who presides over the Southern District of Texas, also voiced his disappointment. Judge Crane explained that his district was slated to receive four new judgeships under the bill, which he described as critical to addressing the district’s “crushing caseloads.” He added that the veto deprives the public of timely access to justice, particularly at a time when the courts are under intense pressure.
“On the same day that President Biden commuted the death sentences of 37 men, he chose to delay or deny justice for everyday people seeking their day in court,” Judge Crane said, pointing to the stark contrast between the president’s commutation of death sentences and his veto of the JUDGES Act.
While the JUDGES Act was vetoed, President Biden signed into law a separate piece of legislation, the Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act, which converts 10 temporary district court judgeships into permanent seats. The White House emphasized that this move would offer some relief to the judiciary but did not address the broader need for new judgeships in high-demand districts.
Despite this, the judiciary leadership remains focused on the larger issue of judicial capacity, with hopes that the legislative momentum for reform will continue into the next congressional session.
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