Proposed Funding Levels "Unjustified and Impractical,"
Chief Justice Says in Letter to Congress

Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist has written to Congressional leaders urging them to provide necessary funding to operate the federal court system in Fiscal Year 2000. The House and Senate have approved different funding levels for the Judiciary, and they are expected to meet in conference to reach a compromise after Labor Day.

Referring to the Senate level, the Chief Justice said that "such a cut in the Judiciary's budget is both unjustified and impractical." While the House would provide a higher level of funding than the Senate, it "also would have a noticeable adverse impact on court operations," the Chief Justice said in his letter.

"As you are aware, the courts do not control their workload, but rather must respond to filings created in large part by Congress' expansion of the federal courts' jurisdiction. I therefore urge you to provide necessary funding for the Judiciary for FY 2000," the Chief Justice said in his letter.

The letter, a copy of which is attached, was delivered to Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, Senate Minority Leader Thomas A. Daschle, Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert, and House Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt.

Also attached is background information on the Judiciary's FY 2000 budget request. The new fiscal year begins October 1, 1999.

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• Chief Justice's Letter
• Background information on the Judiciary's FY 2000 budget request