Bill · H.R. 1702· House(119-HR-1702)
JUDGES Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 2/27/2025
- Last activity
- 3/5/2025 — Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 11.
- Sponsored by
- Darrell Issa
- Cosponsors
- - 11 - 5
- Introduced
What this bill would do
The JUDGES Act of 2025 aims to authorize additional district judges and convert temporary judgeships to address judicial understaffing. The bill authorizes the President to appoint new permanent district judges across various states between 2025 and 2035. It also includes the creation of a temporary district judgeship for the eastern district of Oklahoma. Additionally, the legislation amends the organization of district courts in Texas and California. The bill provides for specific annual appropriations to fund these new judgeships, which will be adjusted for inflation. Finally, it mandates GAO reports and increases the public accessibility of judicial recommendations.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+6
Increasing judges helps address case backlogs and ensures timely legal proceedings.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill mandates the public accessibility of judicial recommendation reports.
Does this give the federal government more power?+3
The bill increases federal judicial resources and staffing.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill increases government spending through significant annual appropriations for new judgeships.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Addressing Judicial Understaffing: The bill seeks to deal with increased filings in the district courts of the United States (Section 2).
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Increased Judicial Capacity: The President is authorized to appoint numerous additional district judges across various districts, including California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Colorado, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, between 2025 and 2035 (Section 3(a)).
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Temporary Judgeship for Oklahoma: The bill authorizes an additional district judge for the eastern district of Oklahoma (Section 3(b)(1)).
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Improved Transparency: The Administrative Office of the United States Courts must make the "Article III Judgeship Recommendations of the Judicial Conference of the United States" report available online free of charge (Section 7(a)).
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Increased Oversight: The Comptroller General is required to submit reports evaluating judicial caseload measures, the impact of non-case-related activities, and the effectiveness of policies regarding senior judges (Section 6(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Temporary Nature of Some Positions: For the temporary district judgeship created in the eastern district of Oklahoma, the first vacancy occurring five years or more after the judge's confirmation date shall not be filled (Section 3(b)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+6Improves Government Transparency+5Increases Federal Power+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+3
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-2
- 4/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/27/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/7/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/31/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/26/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/14/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/5/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 11.
- 3/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/27/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Gus BilirakisRepublican · Florida
Wesley BellDemocrat · Missouri
Ken CalvertRepublican · California
Tom ColeRepublican · Oklahoma
J. CorreaDemocrat · California
Jeff CrankRepublican · Colorado
Monica De La CruzRepublican · Texas
Mike FloodRepublican · Nebraska
Adam GrayDemocrat · California
Kevin KileyIndependent · California
Laurel LeeRepublican · Florida
Troy NehlsRepublican · Texas
Scott PetersDemocrat · California
John RutherfordRepublican · Florida
Michael SimpsonRepublican · Idaho
Jefferson ShreveRepublican · Indiana
Juan VargasDemocrat · California