Matsui Leads Effort to Add Judges to Eastern District of California

WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06),and Reps. Jim Costa (CA-16) and Josh Harder (CA-10)led two letters to leadership of the House Judiciary Committee and Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, urging them to support the authorization of at least five new permanent district judgeships for the Eastern District of California.

"We write to express our strong support for the authorization of at least five new permanent district judgeships for the Eastern District of California, the federal trial court for 34 counties and five of the fastest-growing cities in our state," the lawmakers wrote. "Each of us represents a portion of the Eastern District and strongly believe that investments are needed to address this 20-year judicial emergency before it gets any worse."

The Eastern District of California is one of the largest judicial districts in the country, with over eight million residents and over 87,000 square miles of land. Yet, there are only six permanent judgeships two of which have been vacant for more than a year. The actual caseload per judgeship is 1,224, nearly double the national average for federal trial court.

"We believe making the investment now will pay dividends, by ensuring this beleaguered court is able to fulfill its essential role for the foreseeable future as the foundation of the federal justice system in the Sacramento and Central Valleys," the lawmakers continued.

The Matsui-led letter was co-led by Rep. Jim Costa (CA-16) and cosigned by Reps. Josh Harder (CA-10), Jay Obernolte (CA-08), Ami Bera (CA-07), and Jerry McNerney (CA-09).

Full text of that letter is available here.

The Harder-led letter was cosigned by Congresswoman Matsui as well as Reps. Jim Costa (CA-16), John Garamendi (CA-03), Ami Bera (CA-07), and Jerry McNerney (CA-09).

Full text of that letter is available here.

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