The need for more federal judges was the topic at a news conference Tuesday with Anthony J. Scirica, executive committee chairman of the Judicial Conference.

Scirica, who serves on the 3rd Circuit appeals court, said that since 1990 -- the last time Congress enacted a major judgeship bill -- appellate court caseloads have gone up by 45 percent, and district court caseloads have gone up 27 percent. Scirica said there has been a "huge influx" of immigration appeals to circuit courts, and that "border courts," such as the Southern and Western districts of Texas have seen a big jump in cases.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick J. Leahy has introduced a bill that would create dozens of new appellate and district court judgeships.