US Judges Make Unusual Hill Push for Bill on Overwhelmed Courts

A trio of federal judges visited Capitol Hill to advocate for legislation expanding the judiciary, assuming a somewhat unfamiliar role as lawmakers weigh whether to add federal trial court seats for the first time in decades.

The current and former chief judges met with members of Congress and their staff in support of the bill (S. 4199), which would add more than 60 judgeships to understaffed district courts across the US.

Their visits mark the latest effort by federal judges to generate support for the bill, which faces a fast-shrinking congressional calendar to get a floor vote.

“Talking to members ...