Chief Justice John Roberts Decries Congress' Inaction On Judicial Pay Raise

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Making his annual year-end report, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on Wednesday renewed his call for an increase in judicial pay.

"Our country wisely preserves and maintains its national symbols. As citizens, we should strive with no less determination and vigor to preserve and maintain what our flag signifies and our anthem celebrates," Roberts wrote. "The Judiciary depends on such people, who have made American courts the envy of the world and the model for new democracies. As I have previously pointed out, however, widespread esteem is no reason for complacency."

"I suspect many are tired of hearing it, and I know I am tired of saying it, but I must make this plea again-Congress must provide judicial compensation that keeps pace with inflation," he added.

Roberts, 53, has been calling for higher salaries for judges since 2005. Democrats were looking to give judges a cost-of-living increase in 2008 but their bill was attached to a $14 billion legislation bailing out the auto industry, which collapsed in the Senate on Dec. 11.

The chief justice said in his 15-page report that bankruptcy filings rose 30 percent in 2008 and criminal charges in immigration cases by 27 percent. Sex offense cases also grew by 9 percent.

He added that while the judiciary received a total annual budget of $6.2 billion, which "represents a mere two-tenths of 1 percent of the United States' total $3 trillion budget," it has been cutting costs for four years, " long before the current economic crisis." The cost-cutting includes audits of rent expenditures and more than fifty discrete operations.

"That is all we ask for one of the three branches of government-the one charged 'to guard the Constitution and the rights of individuals'... Given the Judiciary's small cost, and its absolutely critical role in protecting the Constitution and rights we enjoy, I must renew the Judiciary's modest petition: Simply provide cost-of-living increases that have been unfairly denied! We have done our part-it is long past time for Congress to do its," Roberts wrote.

Federal judges in 2008 received $169,300 salaries, while U.S. Supreme Court judges earned $208,100. Roberts, as chief justice, had a salary of $217,400.