Chief justice pleads for higher judicial salaries

By Bill Mears
CNN Supreme Court Producer

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Saying he is "tired of saying it," Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts on Wednesday again renewed his call for higher judicial pay, warning of a long-term damage to the fabric of the courts.

In his annual year-end report, the 53-year-old Roberts noted judges' salaries have declined over the past two decades when measured against inflation, causing many judges to leave the bench for more lucrative jobs in the private sector. Roberts and other judges have said a crisis in the administration of justice could result if the bench cannot attract "judges who are the best of the best."

"I must renew the judiciary's modest petition: Simply provide cost-of-living increases that have been unfairly denied," wrote Roberts. "We have done our part - it is long past time for Congress to do its."