BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Following the release of Chief Justice John Roberts’ year-end report on the federal judiciary, Fix the Court executive director Gabe Roth issued this statement:

While Chief Justice Roberts offers interesting anecdotes about our nation’s first district court judges, he fails to acknowledge the judgeship crisis of today, with dozens of vacancies in district and appeals courts across the country, not to mention one on his own court.

With the political branches failing to offer any creative ideas for reducing the number of vacancies, Roberts should use the power of his office to find ways to solve the impasse, whether that be with the creation of judicial nominating commissions, by increasing transparency in the blue slip process or otherwise.

It is my hope that in the coming year the Chief Justice makes a greater effort to fix this and other basic challenges that his branch faces, as writing reports with oblique references to such problems does not solve anything.