Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts urges Obama, Congress to fill federal courts

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court can't solve the "fiscal cliff," but Chief Justice John Roberts says the federal courts are scrimping as best they can and must be restored to full strength.

In his annual report on the federal judiciary, Roberts notes the need for President Obama and Congress to put the nation's fiscal house in order while sparing his third branch of government, whose $7 billion allowance represents just 0.2% of the $3.7 trillion federal budget.

Included in his plea is a request for the president and lawmakers to fill judicial vacancies that have handicapped district and appellate courts for years. While Senate Republicans recently allowed the confirmation of a number of district court judges whose nominations they had blocked, 27 vacancies remain that are classified as "judicial emergencies."

"I urge the executive and legislative branches to act diligently in nominating and confirming highly qualified candidates to fill those vacancies," Roberts said.

The report doesn't take sides in the dispute over judicial vacancies or the fiscal cliff now consuming Obama and congressional leaders. Still, Roberts could not resist labeling the $16.3 trillion national debt "truly extravagant."

"No one seriously doubts that the country's fiscal ledger has gone awry," he said. "The public properly looks to its elected officials to craft a solution. We in the judiciary stand outside the political arena, but we can continue to do our part to address the financial challenges within our sphere."

For most of the past decade, the judiciary has sought to save money in personnel, rent and information technology, Roberts said. He noted that the Supreme Court itself has reduced spending in most recent years and will seek less than $75 million for fiscal year 2014, which begins in October. That is less than it spent in the previous three years.

But unlike the other two branches of government, Roberts said the judiciary can't eliminate programs or services because they are required under the Constitution or federal statutes.

"I therefore encourage the president and Congress to be especially attentive to the needs of the judicial branch and provide the resources necessary for its operations," he said. "Those vital resource needs include the appointment of an adequate number of judges to keep current on pending cases."

USA Today