[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 73 (Thursday, May 15, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF A BILL TO INCREASE THE SALARIES OF JUSTICES AND JUDGES 
                          OF THE UNITED STATES

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                           HON. HENRY J. HYDE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 2003

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to increase 
the salaries of Federal judges. I take this step because there is a 
serious crisis developing in the recruitment and retention of our 
Federal judges. The declining salaries in real terms discourage 
potential candidates from seeking appointments to the bench. The impact 
of inflation, the withholding of cost-of-living adjustments, and lack 
of pay increases are causing Federal judges to resign or retire.
  The Chief Justice has often spoken on this issue identifying the need 
to increase judicial pay as the most pressing problem facing the 
judiciary. Of course, it is a well known fact that salaries of Federal 
judges have not kept pace with those of lawyers in the private sector. 
The theory behind the judicial pay raise movement is that, without a 
pay raise, qualified judges will continue to vacate the bench for 
higher pay in the practice of law. These men and women will often be 
replaced by new--and less qualified--judges. The Federal judiciary and 
affected litigants will suffer as a result.
  Since the independence and quality of the judiciary is at risk 
because of the inadequacy of the current salaries of Federal judges, I 
urge my colleagues to support this. bill that will restore the lost 
cost-of living adjustments which have been denied to the judiciary.

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