Of all the words rarely heard on Capitol Hill these days, “bipartisan” is one of the rarest. But sometimes both sides manage to agree on an issue. The latest example is the number of federal judges across the country.

Faced with a massive and growing backlog of cases, Washington has decided to finally do something. A new bill has been introduced in the United States House of Representatives that will potentially create 13 new federal judges here in Texas, a feat not accomplished since 2003. It was the longest period since 1789 without a new judgeship being created in response to demand. Yes, 1789.

Matt Stringer of The Texan says that while it’s better late than never, this should have happened much, much sooner.

“I can’t really say why it took them so long and why they didn’t do anything … but I guess now they’re responding to the issue that was being investigated and they’ve reached a threshold,” he says. “If the bill passes, there will be 13 new federal judges appointed across Texas.”

In addition, federal judges will be authorized to hear cases in College Station.

A study by the United States Judicial Conference (USJD) found that the number of cases filed in federal courts has increased by 30 percent since 2022, with 686,797 cases pending as of March 2023. In Houston, we know firsthand all the problems with pending cases.

Texas’ massive growth plays another factor.

“About 1,000 people move to Texas every day…not only does that impact cases in the justice system, but we also benefit electorally,” he says. “Every time seats are added in Congress, as we did with the census…the power of the Electoral College and the presidential election also increases.”

The bill was authored by Texas Congressman Tony Gonzalez and also sponsored by Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn.

Stringer adds that a similar bill has been approved and passed in southwest Texas and is on President Biden’s desk.