Connie Mack: “I come before the Senate in support of today's colloquy regarding Federal judgeship needs in Florida. Although I was…”

“I come before the Senate in support of today's colloquy regarding Federal judgeship needs in Florida. Although I was unable to participate in the colloquy between my esteemed colleagues, Senators Hatch and Graham, I wish to express my support for their position. It is my hope that the Judiciary Committee will lend serious consideration to Florida's unique and acute judgeship needs. The pressures currently upon Florida's court system, particularly in the Middle District, are some of the most severe in the nation. The Judicial Conference of the United States has recommended three permanent district judgeships and one temporary judgeship for the Middle District. This is the most judgeships recommended for any federal district in the nation. Statistics kept by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts underscore the need for additional judgeships in this district. Recent statistics place Florida's Middle District second in the nation in weighted case filings per judge, with an average of 855. This is far above the national average of 519 weighted case filings per judge. It is expected that these numbers will continue to climb, given this area's explosive population growth. Although fifty-five percent of Florida's population currently resides in the Middle District, the district is home to only one-third of the state's federal judges.”