Costa’s Push for More Judges in the Eastern District Gains Momentum as Congress Approves Bill

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved (JUDGES) Act of 2024, legislation inspired by the bipartisan efforts of Representative Jim Costa (CA-21) to create additional judgeships for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. The U.S. Senate passed the legislation and now heads to President Biden’s desk.

The JUDGES Act includes provisions of Costa’s bipartisan legislation, the CASE LOAD Act, which was introduced in June 2023. 

“The JUDGES Act is grounded on the foundation of my legislation, the CASE LOAD Act, and now it’s one step closer to becoming law. This legislation transcends partisanship—it’s about delivering timely justice for millions of Americans. By expanding judgeships in the Eastern District of California, we will ensure that cases are heard without unnecessary delays." said Congressman Jim Costa.

BACKGROUND
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California covers 34 counties, stretching from Bakersfield to Redding, and serves nearly 8.4 million individuals. Cases ranging from bankruptcy to drug offenses are heard at the Robert E. Coyle federal courthouse in Fresno, California.

The Eastern District Court, with just six permanent judgeships, has not added a seat since 1978. As California’s population has doubled, the court is struggling to manage soaring caseloads. Each judge oversees an average of 1,308 cases—2.6 times higher than the average for all district courts within the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

The JUDGES Act will add 66 new judges to understaffed federal district courts nationwide, including 21 judges in four California districts: nine in the Central District, four in the Eastern District, six in the Northern District, and two in the Southern District. Judgeships would be added every two years over the next three presidential terms.