Too many Americans are being denied access to our justice system because of an overload of cases and a shortage of federal judges.

The last major expansion of the federal judicial branch occurred in 1990, when then-Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Joe Biden sponsored legislation that created 85 new judgeships for President George H.W. Bush to fill.

Biden once again has the opportunity to join Congress in resolving a judicial crisis by signing into law the JUDGES Act of 2024: bipartisan legislation I introduced to increase the number of federal district court judges in the most overworked regions of the country, including the Southern District of Indiana.

This is a common-sense approach to a politically challenging problem. The legislation is widely supported by leading legal organizations and advocates across our country. I urge President Biden to do the right thing for our judicial system, as he did in 1990, and sign the JUDGES Act into law.

Click here to read my column in the Washington Post on the JUDGES Act.

I recently spoke at the Reagan National Defense Forum, an annual event bringing together key national security leaders and stakeholders.

I participated in a panel discussion focused on modernizing our nation’s defense capabilities. I spoke on the urgent need to out-innovate and outcompete the Chinese Communist Party in biotechnology and artificial intelligence in order to ensure America’s warfighters maintain a technological edge and American families are safe. I also previewed the upcoming findings and recommendations of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, on which I serve as Chair. 

To watch the full panel, click here. More information on the event is available here.

Two bipartisan bills I worked on to protect the privacy of Americans and remove burdensome health care reporting requirements recently passed the Senate.

Under current law, overreaching compliance requirements create uncertainty and stress for employers in Indiana and across the nation. The Employer Reporting Improvement Act and the Paperwork Burden Reduction Act will help reduce these unnecessary burdens and increase efficiency

Read more about these bills here. 

Last week, I had the chance to speak on the Senate floor and thank my friend and colleague Senator Mike Braun (R-Ind.) for his partnership in the Senate over the past six years. I am looking forward to continuing this partnership as Mike begins his service to our state as governor. 

Watch my remarks here.

Last week, I had a great conversation with President Trump’s nominee to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Elise Stefanik.

Elise and I discussed American interests on the global stage and the importance of restoring peace through strength. I am confident Elise is the right person for this job, and I look forward to supporting her nomination.

I want to thank Hoosier students who participated in a fall internship in my Indianapolis and Washington, D.C. offices. They assisted with daily activities and special projects related to legislation, communications, and constituent services.

Caroline Prentice, a recent graduate from Martinsville who attended the University of South Carolina, interned in Indianapolis. The Washington, D.C. intern class included (as pictured from left to right) Josie Allen, a senior from Vincennes attending Indiana University Bloomington; Jesse Ryman, a recent graduate from Bristol who attended Indiana Wesleyan University; Sam Syroney, a senior from Evansville attending Indiana University Bloomington; and Maggie Davis, a recent graduate from Indianapolis who attended Indiana University Bloomington.

My office offers internship opportunities year-round, in both my Indiana and Washington, D.C. offices. Students who are interested in applying can click here or call 202-224-5623 to learn more.

Navigating federal agencies can be difficult. My staff and I are here to assist Hoosiers who are having trouble receiving benefits, have questions regarding a program or procedure, or have not heard back from these agencies in a timely manner.

Learn more about how we can help here.

The Washington Post: Biden should sign the Judges Act to relieve a national crisis

Fox 59: Braun gives last U.S. Senate speech before becoming Indiana governor

IndyStar: Biden threatens veto of Todd Young bill to add federal judges, including in Indiana

The Lebanon Reporter: Young Recognizes Hoosier Students Who Completed Fall Internship

CNHI News: Young addresses Reagan National Defense Forum

Thank you for the continued privilege to serve you in the U.S. Senate. My mission is to fight on behalf of Hoosiers and the interests that are unique to our state. I look forward to working with you, and sharing our progress, in the days ahead. 

In Service,