Patrick Leahy: “Senator Kerry and I are pleased to introduce the ``Fair and Independent Judiciary Act of 2003.'' This legislation arises…”

“Senator Kerry and I are pleased to introduce the ``Fair and Independent Judiciary Act of 2003.'' This legislation arises from our belief that we must remain steadfast in our commitment to preserving the vitality of our third branch of government. Ensuring a fair and independent judiciary is critical to preserving the system of checks and balances established in our Constitution. The Fair and Independent Judiciary Act includes measures to respond to the shortfall in real judicial compensation, to repeal the link of judicial pay to congressional pay, to improve survivorship benefits, and to instill greater public confidence in our courts. The National Commission on Public Service, a blue-ribbon panel of experts headed by Paul Volcker, recently concluded that Congress' budgetary treatment of this co-equal branch threatens its ability to perform its essential mission. This legislation addresses a problem that the Chief Justice has repeatedly brought to our attention--the decline in real judicial salaries.”