Federal Judiciary Asks Congress to Give Over Control of Courthouses

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by Mattathias Schwartz

February 24, 2026

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The Federal Judiciary has called on Congress to grant it control over federal courthouses, citing decades of inadequate management by the General Services Administration (GSA), an executive branch agency responsible for managing federal buildings. In a letter to lawmakers, Judge Robert J. Conrad, head of the judiciary’s policymaking body, described the current state of courthouse maintenance as a "crisis" and proposed a new “Judiciary Buildings Service” to take over these facilities. This move comes after years of complaints about GSA’s slow response to critical repairs, including recent issues like water leaks that have caused significant damage to historic courthouses, such as the Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse in Chicago. The judiciary currently pays $1.3 billion annually to GSA for rent and maintenance, which represents a substantial portion of its $10 billion annual budget. Judge Conrad’s letter highlights the urgent need for improved oversight, arguing that the condition of courthouses has deteriorated significantly due to inadequate management. Judith Resnik, a Yale Law School professor and expert on judicial facilities, echoed these concerns, calling GSA’s stewardship a “failure” and emphasizing the importance of maintaining these buildings as symbols of justice. However, GSA spokeswoman Marianne Copenhaver pushed back against the characterization of a crisis, stating that GSA remains focused on managing the federal real estate portfolio effectively. She argued that the judiciary should prioritize its core mission of upholding the rule of law while GSA continues its work. Despite this pushback, the judiciary’s call for greater control over its facilities has gained momentum, with supporters arguing that proper management is essential to ensure the integrity and functionality of courts. This issue matters because it touches on broader questions of government accountability and separation of powers. The judiciary’s ability to operate independently and effectively depends on having well-maintained courthouses,

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/24/2026