Legislation advances that would add 13 new federal judges in Texas

Of all the words on Capitol Hill that you rarely hear nowadays, 'bipartisan' is among the rarest. However, sometimes both sides of the aisle manage to come together on an issue. The newest one is the number of federal judges across the country.

Amid a massive, and growing backlog of cases, Washington has decided to finally take some action. New legislation has advanced to the United States House that will potentially add 13 new federal judges here in Texas, a feat of which has not been accomplished since 2003. It has been the longest period without creating a new judicial position in response to demand since 1789. Yes, 1789.

Matt Stringer of The Texan says while it is better late than never, this should have been done much, much sooner.

"I cannot really say why it took them so long and why they did not take action...but now I guess they are responding to the issue which has been studies, and have hit a threshold," he says. "If passed, this will add 13 new federal judges all across Texas."

In addition, it will authorize federal judges to hear cases in College Station.

A study by the United States Judicial Conference (USJD) found filings in the federal courts have increased by 30 percent since 2022, and as of March 2023 there were 686,797 pending cases. We know in Houston firsthand about all the issues with backlogged cases.

The massive growth of Texas plays another factor, too.

About 1,000 people per day are moving to Texas...that is not only affecting cases in the judiciary, but we get a benefit electorally too," he says. "Anytime you add congressional seats, like we did with the census...power in the electoral college, and the presidential election, also increases."

The bill was authored by Texas Congressman Tony Gonzalez and has been sponsored as well by Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn.

Stringer adds that similar legislation has also been approved and passed in Southwest Texas and is on President Biden's desk.