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U.S. Sen. Todd Young Wants To Add 65 Judges To Federal Bench

U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) his proposal to add 65 judges to the federal bench isn’t about politics – it’s about solving an “emergency” situation.
FILE PHOTO: Justin Hicks/IPB News
U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) his proposal to add 65 judges to the federal bench isn’t about politics – it’s about solving an “emergency” situation.

U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) wants to add 65 judges to federal courts across the country. And he said his proposal isn’t about politics – it’s about solving an “emergency” situation.

Young said courts around the country are overloaded with cases – 15 percent of pending cases at the federal level are more than three years old. And that’s what his bill to add 65 judges to the federal bench is aimed at.

Young emphasizes that his measure isn’t meant to be partisan, which is why his proposal spaces out when the judges would be added.

“Trying my very best to take any politics out of this," Young said. "So, 34 of these judges would be filled in 2021 and 31 would be filled in 2025.”

Young acknowledged the current fight over President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee will likely make getting his bill passed more difficult. But he said he’s actively seeking Democratic co-sponsors.

Contact reporter Brandon at  bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

Brandon Smith has covered the Statehouse for Indiana Public Broadcasting for more than a decade, spanning three governors and a dozen legislative sessions. He's also the host of Indiana Week in Review, a weekly political and policy discussion program seen and heard across the state.
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