Senator Chuck Grassley, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, provided the following comment after receiving a response to his inquiry to the U.S. Courts about the plans for sequestration. Grassley became concerned after reading an email alerting him to the drastic measures the governing body of the federal court system would take if sequestration occurs. The email lacked any reference to actions the courts should already be taking to limit unnecessary spending, such as limiting conferences expenses and travel for judges and other employees. Savings generated by cutting these unnecessary expenditures could help the courts avoid layoffs, continue juror compensation, and ensure that defender services are maintained. Here is a copy of Grassley’s letter to the Judicial Conference. Here is a copy of the response.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over the federal courts system. Grassley has been conducting oversight of unchecked spending by the federal judiciary for several years.
“The Judicial Conference must recognize our country is in a dire fiscal situation and understand that we must make sacrifices across the federal government in order to live within our means, just as the American people do. The effort to find cost savings must leave no stone unturned. Excessive and extravagant spending simply won’t be tolerated by the taxpayers who are footing the bill.”
