Judiciary Seeks Supplemental Funding

The Judicial Conference of the United States has requested $72.9 million in emergency funding, saying that a supplemental appropriation is needed to "address critical needs resulting from sequestration cuts."

A Congressional resolution for FY 2013 cut the federal courts' budget by nearly $350 million, to about $6.6 billion. A letter outlining the request was sent May 14 to the Office of Management and Budget. It said $41.4 million was needed for the Defender Services account, and $31.5 million was needed for the courts' Salaries and Expenses account.

The letter added, "The Judiciary is confronting an unprecedented fiscal crisis that could seriously compromise the Constitutional mission of the United States Courts." To see the entire letter, click here.