Comments Of Sen. Patrick Leahy
(D-Vt., Incoming Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee)
On Chief Justice Roberts’s Year-End Report
On The Federal Judiciary 
January 1, 2007

Chief Justice Roberts has tackled a touchy but timely topic that has been a chronic sticking point between the Judicial and Legislative Branches.  He has discussed the issue of judicial compensation plainly and passionately, and I commend him for it.  He is right that the issue of judicial compensation relates to the issue of the independence of the judiciary, which is important to all Americans and to our system of government. 

Some of us have tried over the years to improve the compensation of judges, and I intend again to do what I can to convince Congress to fairly evaluate this issue and the Chief’s arguments, so that we can see what solutions may be possible.

In the last congressional session I supported a cost-of-living increase for judges that was not enacted but should have been.  That step should be an early item of business that the new Congress can accomplish.  About four years ago, the last time Congress missed making a scheduled cost-of-living adjustment for the judiciary, I sponsored remedial legislation that was enacted.  I have also joined in introducing bills for general increases in judicial compensation, which the Republican-led Congress failed to enact.  I hope Congress and the President will reconsider such measures this year and will do their duty when it comes to fair compensation for the independent judiciary.

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