Chris Coons: “if I might on the question of the Court of Federal Claims, today, currently, there are just 10 active judges, although…”

“if I might on the question of the Court of Federal Claims, today, currently, there are just 10 active judges, although it is authorized to have 16. The five nominees whom I brought to the floor today and have asked unanimous consent to proceed on were first nominated in April or May of 2014 and have waited more than 2 years for their confirmation here by the Senate. No one has raised an objection to their qualifications, and each of them has twice now unanimously been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee without concerns being raised or advanced about either their qualifications or the need to fill these judicial vacancies. With fewer active judges, cases have piled up in the Court of Federal Claims, which is often called ``the people's court'' because of its role in hearing cases brought by citizens and businesses against the Federal Government. From 2012 to 2015, the number of pending general jurisdiction cases per active judge has nearly doubled, jumping from 70 to about 130 in just 3 years. The court has also seen an increase in bid protest cases--some of the most complex and resource-intensive cases heard by the court. These delays harm the citizens and businesses that are waiting to have their cases decided. Delays also come at significant cost to the Federal Government, which will pay greater interest once judgments are finally rendered.…”