The United States judicial system should be structured to successfully process legitimate cases as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, many Idahoans are burdened by a serious backlog within the federal judicial system, limiting their access to a timely trial. This is due in part to loopholes being exploited within current federal policy and is made worse by organizational issues within the federal court system.
One example would be the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA). Although an important program for those with limited resources, this law has also allowed some special interest groups to create an endless cycle of litigation and clog the federal courts, all while enriching themselves with taxpayer dollars.
Throughout my time in Congress I have pushed for EAJA reform, including sponsoring H.R. 3037 the Government Litigation Savings Act. The courts should never be ‘Plan A,’ and the judicial process should never be used to enrich groups, entities, or individuals.
In addition to seeking EAJA reform, we must also ensure that United States District Courts are equipped to process increasingly high caseloads. That is why I sponsored H.R. 319, a bill that would add an additional judge to the Federal District Court of Idaho. I have also pushed for legislation to address the backlog in the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. H.R. 320 would divide the over worked and heavily populated Ninth Circuit and add a new Twelfth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Access to the courts, legal representation, and justice are core American values. I firmly believe that justice delayed is justice denied, and I remain committed to improving and reorganizing the federal judicial system to protect the legitimate rights of all.
