S. 4199 · 118TH CONGRESSSenate · Mar 25, 2026
JUDGES Act of 2024
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The House of Representatives passed S. 4199, known as the JUDGES Act of 2024, with a final vote of 236 to 173. This legislation aims to address caseload backlogs in the federal court system by authorizing the creation of additional district court judgeships across several states. The bill focuses on regions that have experienced significant population growth and increased legal filings over the last several decades. The vote followed largely partisan lines, with 207 Republicans and 29 Democrats voting in favor, while 171 Democrats and 2 Republicans voted against it. While there is broad consensus that the federal judiciary needs more resources, disagreements often arise regarding the timing of these appointments and which presidential administration will have the authority to fill the newly created seats. Because this bill has now passed both the House and the Senate, it moves to the President's desk to be signed into law. Once enacted, the judicial branch will begin the process of expanding the bench in the designated districts, marking the first significant expansion of federal judgeships in over twenty years.