Federal court dockets have grown substantially since 1990, the last time Congress increased the number of federal judges.
There are 678 U.S. district judges and 179 appellate judges. The Judicial Conference has asked Congress to authorize 12 new appellate judgeships and 51 new district seats.
Generally, Senate Republicans oppose the legislation because they do not want Democratic President Barack Obama to get 63 new appointments. Democrats supported the last judiciary expansion in 1990 and Republican President George H.W. Bush proceeded to nominate judges.
The objective is efficient justice. Politics always will play a role in appointments, but the system should be configured to at least meet the demonstrable need.
(Reprinted from The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.)