Congressman Andy Biggs’ Statement on Subcommittee Hearing to Examine Ideas to Restructure the Ninth Circuit

Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet held a hearing to examine ideas for restructuring the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Congressman Andy Biggs, a member of this subcommittee, released the following statement after the completion of the hearing:

"Today's hearing highlighted many of the reasons why the Ninth Circuit needs to be divided into two smaller circuits. To start, it is simply too large. Twenty percent of the U.S. population resides within this Circuit, twice as many as any other Circuit. This delays access to justice for many Americans and creates a situation wherein citizens of the Ninth Circuit are treated differently than if they lived in any other Circuit. It is time we consider true reforms, and I believe my bill, the Judicial Administration and Improvement Act, is a good place to start. I am grateful to Chairman Goodlatte and Chairman Issa for their attention to this critical issue."

Congressman Andy Biggs is a first-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Sun Lakes, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees, and is the chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. He lives with his wife Cindy in Gilbert.