S-4199 : Still Just a Bill


Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2024 or the JUDGES Act of 2024

This bill creates 63 new permanent U.S. district court judgeships over a 10-year period and 3 temporary U.S. district court judgeships in 2025.  The President must appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, additional judges for specified judicial districts.

Specifically, the bill creates 63 additional permanent judgeships, which are added every two years from 2025 through 2035. The state and the total number of judgeships added over the 10-year period for the state are as follows:

  • Arizona (2), 
  • California (21),
  • Colorado (2),
  • Delaware (2), 
  • Florida (9), 
  • Georgia (2), 
  • Idaho (1), 
  • Indiana (1), 
  • Iowa (1), 
  • Nebraska (1),
  • New Jersey (3), 
  • New York (5), and 
  • Texas (13).

Additionally, in 2025, the bill creates three temporary judgeships in Oklahoma.

The bill adds locations for where district courts must be held in certain states. Specifically, the bill requires the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California to be additionally held in El Centro, California; the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas (Houston Division) to be additionally held in College Station, Texas; and the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah (Central Division) to be additionally held in Moab and Monticello, Utah.

The Government Accountability Office must submit reports to Congress on judicial caseloads and detention space.

The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts must make publicly accessible, and submit to Congress, a specified biennial report on judgeship recommendations.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2025-01-03VetoVeto message received in Senate. Ordered held at the desk.Senate
2024-12-23PresidentVetoed by President.House floor actions
2024-12-20FloorPresented to President.House floor actions
2024-12-12FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2024-12-12VoteOn passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 236 - 173 (Roll no. 501). (text: CR H7116-7119)House floor actions
2024-12-12FloorThe previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
2024-12-12FloorDEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 4199.House floor actions
2024-12-12FloorRule provides for consideration of H.R. 7673 and S. 4199. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 7673 and S. 4199 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each bill and one motion to recommit on H.R. 7673 and one motion to commit on S. 4199. The resolution also provides for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 5009 with one hour of general debate.House floor actions
2024-12-12FloorConsidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1612. (consideration: CR H7116-7124)House floor actions
2024-12-10FloorRule H. Res. 1612 passed House.House floor actions
2024-12-10FloorRules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1612 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7673 and S. 4199. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 7673 and S. 4199 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each bill and one motion to recommit on H.R. 7673 and one motion to commit on S. 4199. The resolution also provides for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 5009 with one hour of general debate.House floor actions
2024-08-06FloorHeld at the desk.House floor actions
2024-08-06FloorReceived in the House.House floor actions
2024-08-02FloorMessage on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
2024-08-01FloorPassed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5750-5753; text: CR S5750-5752)Senate
2024-06-18CalendarsPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 430.Senate
2024-06-18CommitteeCommittee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Coons for Senator Durbin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.Senate
2024-06-13CommitteeCommittee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.Senate
2024-04-19IntroReferralRead twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.Senate
2024-04-19IntroReferralIntroduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Law
Related Subjects
  • Congressional oversight
  • Federal district courts
  • Government information and archives
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Judges
Related Geographic Entities
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Nebraska
  • New Jersey
  • New York State
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • Utah
Related Organizations

Related Bills

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