A new U.S. Senate-passed bill aiming to expand the federal judiciary by adding 66 judges across various understaffed district courts could significantly impact government spending, according to fresh estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The proposed legislation, which represents the most substantial expansion of the judiciary since 1990, is projected to cost $349 million over the next decade.
This bill, known as the JUDGES Act, has received unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate and is now awaiting a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives. It was designed to tackle the rising caseloads and personnel shortages that have plagued courts in states like California, Texas, and Delaware. With no new federal judgeships created since 2003, the bill’s incremental approach to adding these new positions every two years beginning in January 2025 seeks to mitigate concerns about partisan appointments.
The CBO’s analysis breaks down the financial impact, with $98 million allocated for judges’ salaries and benefits, which are constitutionally protected. Additionally, the bill authorizes annual appropriations for administrative expenses, including court staff, facilities, security, and technology, potentially adding $250 million to government spending between 2025 and 2034.
A provision in the bill also mandates a report from the Government Accountability Office on judges’ caseloads and the need for federal detention space, expected to cost $1 million over the same period.
Despite the significant financial commitment, advocates argue that the cost of inaction—such as citizens being denied timely access to justice—could be even higher. The lead sponsor of the bill, Republican Senator Todd Young of Indiana, is currently working with House members to secure its passage this fall.
