Orin Kerr , December 31, 2008 at 6:54pm] Trackbacks 2008 Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary: I suspect many are tired of hearing it, and I know I am tired of saying it, but I must make this plea again—Congress must provide judicial compensation that keeps pace with inflation. . . . Last year, Congress fell just short of enacting legislation, reported out of both House and Senate Committees on the Judiciary, that would have restored cost-of-living salary adjustments that judges have been denied in past years. One year later, Congress has still failed to complete action on that crucial remedial legislation, despite strong bipartisan support and an aggregate cost that is miniscule in relation to the national budget and the importance of the Judiciary's role. To make a bad situation worse, Congress failed, once again, to provide federal judges an annual cost-of-living increase this year, even though it provided one to every other federal employee, including every Member of Congress. Congress's inaction this year vividly illustrates why judges' salaries have declined in real terms over the past twenty years.



Given the Judiciary's small cost, and its absolutely critical role in protecting the Constitution and rights we enjoy, I must renew the Judiciary's modest petition: Simply provide cost-of-living increases that have been unfairly denied! We have done our part—it is long past time for Congress to do its. Thanks to Howard Bashman for the link.



Happy New Year, everyone (which I mean in an entirely inoffensive way). It's available here , just in time. From the Chief Justice's report:Thanks to Howard Bashman for the link.Happy New Year, everyone (which I mean in an entirely inoffensive way).