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Bill

HR 1702

JUDGES Act of 2025

119th Congress Introduced by Wesley Bell and 15 co-sponsors

The JUDGES Act of 2025 boosts federal court staffing to reduce delays, ensuring faster resolutions for emergency cases and improving access to justice for litigants.

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
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Bill Summary · HR 1702

Summary of HR 1702 - JUDGES Act of 2025

Overview

The Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2025, commonly referred to as the JUDGES Act of 2025, aims to address critical staffing shortages within the federal judiciary. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 27, 2025, and has since undergone committee consideration and a mark-up session.

Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of the JUDGES Act is to alleviate delays in judicial proceedings caused by understaffing in federal courts. By enhancing the capacity of the judiciary, the bill seeks to ensure that emergency cases are resolved more efficiently, thereby improving access to justice for individuals and entities relying on timely judicial decisions.

Key Provisions

While the specific provisions of the bill are not detailed in the provided document, the following points can be inferred based on the title and legislative intent:

  • Increased Judicial Staffing: The bill likely proposes measures to increase the number of judges or judicial staff to handle caseloads more effectively.
  • Emergency Case Prioritization: It may include provisions for prioritizing emergency cases to ensure they are addressed promptly.
  • Funding Allocations: Potential funding mechanisms to support the hiring of additional judges or staff may be included.

Affected Parties

The JUDGES Act of 2025 would primarily impact:

  • Federal Courts: The bill aims to enhance the operational capacity of federal courts, which have been experiencing significant delays due to understaffing.
  • Litigants: Individuals and organizations seeking justice in federal courts would benefit from reduced wait times and expedited case resolutions.
  • Judicial Staff: Current judicial employees may see changes in workload and support as additional staff are brought on board.

Legislative Process and Timeline

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Referred to Committee: The bill was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on the same day it was introduced.
  • Committee Consideration: A mark-up session was held on March 5, 2025, where the bill was ordered to be reported with amendments by a vote of 16 - 11.

Sponsors

The bill is sponsored by Darrell Issa and has multiple cosponsors, including:

  • Wesley Bell
  • Tom Cole
  • Ken Calvert
  • Kevin Kiley
  • Mike Flood
  • J. Luis Correa
  • Juan Vargas
  • Scott H. Peters
  • Laurel M. Lee
  • Jefferson Shreve
  • Michael K. Simpson
  • Monica De La Cruz
  • Gus M. Bilirakis
  • Troy E. Nehls
  • Adam Gray

Related Bills

The JUDGES Act has several companion bills, including:

  • HR 1929
  • HR 625
  • S 32

These related bills may address similar issues regarding judicial staffing and efficiency.

Conclusion

The JUDGES Act of 2025 represents a legislative effort to tackle the pressing issue of judicial understaffing, aiming to enhance the efficiency of federal courts and improve the timely resolution of cases. As the bill progresses through the legislative process, its provisions and potential impacts will become clearer.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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