Federal judiciary cites $8.3B courthouse repair backlog and seeks direct control from GSA

The Administrative Office of the US Courts formally requested congressional authority on February 24, 2026 to manage courthouse properties directly, citing an $8.3 billion backlog of critical repairs accumulated over more than a decade. The judiciary reported that ceilings had fallen during trials, elevators had trapped people for hours, and legionella bacteria had been found in building water supplies at some locations. The request came as DOGE-driven staff cuts at the General Services Administration reduced the agency's capacity to manage the federal real estate portfolio, with GSA responding that it should retain control of the properties.