Crapo, Risch Applaud Senate Passage of Act Granting Idaho a Third Federal Judge

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) applaud the Senate’s unanimous passage of the Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved (JUDGES) Act of 2024.  Crapo and Risch are co-sponsors, and introduced similar legislation, S. 7, that would create an additional federal district judgeship in Idaho.

The JUDGES Act of 2024 would address judicial emergencies and shortages across the country by increasing the number of federal district judges in the most overworked regions of the country, including adding a federal judgeship for Idaho.  Idaho is one of only three states (along with North Dakota and Vermont) with only two authorized judgeships.

“It is past time an additional judgeship was added in Idaho to meet the needs of an ever-growing population and legal caseload,” said Crapo.  “A third district judge addresses a deficiency in the legal system that has been looming since the last federal judgeship in Idaho was established 70 years ago.”

“With Idaho’s growing population, our overworked legal system is in desperate need of an additional district judge,” said Risch.  “I am pleased to see the Senate pass commonsense legislation to authorize new judgeships to help administer efficient and effective justice in our state.”

The legislation is also co-sponsored by Senators Todd Young (R-Indiana), Chris Coons (D-Delaware), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Alex Padilla (D-California), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Jon Ossoff (D-Georgia), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), Rick Scott (R-Florida) and Laphonza Butler (D-California).

The bipartisan legislation will now head to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.