The leadership of the U.S. federal judiciary has expressed deep disappointment over President Joe Biden’s decision to veto the JUDGES Act, a bill aimed at adding 66 new judges to federal courts across the nation. This veto, issued on Monday evening, has been condemned as a setback for the judiciary, as it fails to address the severe caseload challenges facing courts in multiple states.
Judge Robert Conrad, Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, called the veto “extremely disappointing,” highlighting that it reflects a broader issue of insufficient support for the judiciary. In a public statement, Conrad stressed that the president’s veto would only exacerbate the mounting case backlogs, contributing to longer delays for litigants and eroding public trust in the judicial system.
“This veto is a regrettable failure to act on a crucial need for judicial reform. Federal courts are facing unprecedented backlogs that undermine the timely administration of justice,” Judge Conrad said. “Without additional judges, the courts will continue to struggle to manage rising caseloads, which have grown by more than 30% since the last significant judicial expansion in 1990.”
The JUDGES Act was a bipartisan proposal designed to allocate new judgeships across 25 federal district courts in 13 states, including key areas such as California, Florida, and Texas. Under the bill, new positions would have been phased in over six intervals through 2035. The legislation had garnered significant support from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, as well as advocacy groups like the Federal Judges Association, which represents a majority of federal judges.
In August, the bill passed the Democratic-led Senate unanimously, but it faced delays in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where it was only brought to a vote after the November 2024 elections. Despite its contentious passage, hundreds of judges from both political backgrounds had publicly backed the bill, citing the pressing need to bolster the judiciary in response to rising demands on the system.
Judge Randy Crane, Chief Judge of the Southern District of Texas, also voiced his dismay, noting that his district would have received four new judgeships under the proposed law. “At a time when courtrooms across the country are overwhelmed, and access to justice is strained, the veto is a blow to ordinary Americans who deserve a fair and timely hearing,” Crane said. He added that he hoped the next administration would act swiftly to reintroduce this essential legislation.
While the veto of the JUDGES Act has sparked frustration, the Biden administration did sign the Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act into law on the same day. This separate measure converts 10 temporary district court judgeships into permanent positions, a step that aims to provide some relief to overburdened courts.
Despite this, judiciary leaders are calling on lawmakers to reintroduce the JUDGES Act in the coming year, underscoring that the long-term health of the federal court system depends on a sustained effort to expand judicial resources.
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