STATEMENT: CAP’s Maggie Jo Buchanan Urges Congress To Expand Lower Courts

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) introduced legislation that would add 203 new seats on the nation’s federal district courts. The bill comes after a separate measure was introduced in the Senate on Thursday by Sens. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Todd Young (R-IN) to add 77 new district court seats around the country. In response, Maggie Jo Buchanan, director of Legal Progress at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:

Expanding the number of lower court judges is long overdue, and it’s a welcome step that lawmakers are seeking to address this critical need. Congress should act immediately to create enough new judicial seats to keep up with the nation’s growing population and make sure these new judges reflect the true diversity of America. This expansion should go into effect swiftly so President Joe Biden, who has clearly demonstrated his commitment to nominating highly qualified nominees from diverse legal backgrounds, can begin filling newly created seats with nominees who understand the needs of everyday people.

Related resources:

• “Pipelines to Power: Encouraging Professional Diversity on the Federal Appellate Bench” by Maggie Jo Buchanan
• “It Is Past Time for Congress To Expand the Lower Courts” by Maggie Jo Buchanan and Stephanie Wylie
• “Building a More Inclusive Federal Judiciary” by Danielle Root, Jake Faleschini, and Grace Oyenubi

For more information on this topic or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected] or 202-478-6327.