The condition of federal courthouses around the country is in a deepening state of crisis, compelling the Judiciary to ask Congress (PDF) for authority to directly manage properties that are essential to carrying out its constitutional mission.

The General Services Administration (GSA) has long served as the Judiciary’s landlord. But over more than a decade, buildings that house the Judiciary have accumulated a growing backlog of $8.3 billion worth of critical repairs for basic courthouse systems, such as roofs, elevators, lighting, doors, and windows. Some emergency repairs, such as storm and water damage, can take years to complete.

“Federal courthouses are in crisis. Without immediate action, the problems will continue to worsen,” said Judge Robert J. Conrad, Jr., director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. “Action is needed now to reverse a downward spiral of critical-system failures, long-term underfunding of repairs, security risks, and climbing costs.”

On Feb.…