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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.
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.

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Brandon J. Smith has previously worked as a reporter and anchor for KBIA Radio in Columbia, MO. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, IL as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.