A proposed amendment to the United States Constitution aimed at capping the number of seats on the Supreme Court has not advanced. On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted on a joint resolution led by Republicans that sought to permanently limit the court to its current number of nine justices. The final vote was 212 in favor and 206 against, falling short of the two-thirds support needed for constitutional amendments. Only one Democrat, Representative Don Davis of North Carolina, supported the amendment, while independent Representative Kevin Kiley of California voted against it. This vote followed a resolution condemning socialism, which passed 220 to 192 with some bipartisan support. House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Democrats who opposed the amendment, stating that condemning socialism and defending the integrity of the Supreme Court should not be controversial. The discussions around the Supreme Court's size have gained traction as some Democrats propose adding justices to counter the conservative majority, a process referred to as 'court packing.' This idea gained momentum after former President Donald Trump appointed three justices during his term. In April 2021, four Democrats introduced a bill to expand the court to 13 justices, arguing it would restore balance following Republican actions. The Supreme Court's size is not specified in the Constitution, which has allowed for changes over time, with the current number set in 1869. Historical attempts to alter the court's composition include former President Franklin D. Roosevelt's proposal in 1937 to add justices based on age. The topic has resurfaced in the context of the upcoming midterm elections, with Democratic Senator Jim Clyburn advocating for expansion to 13 justices. Former Vice President Kamala Harris also suggested a discussion on this issue. However, Republicans, including Senator Chuck Grassley, oppose such changes, emphasizing the need to protect the independence of the judiciary.
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US Congress Fails to Advance Amendment to Limit Supreme Court Size
The US House of Representatives did not advance a proposed constitutional amendment to limit the Supreme Court to nine justices, with a vote of 212 in favor and 206 against. The amendment's failure reflects ongoing debates about the court's size, particularly among Democrats who have suggested expanding it to counter a conservative majority. Historical context includes previous attempts to change the court's composition, with discussions intensifying ahead of the midterm elections.
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- ✕ loaded language: 'controversial'
- ✕ loaded language: 'slams'
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US Congress rejects constitutional amendment to restrict Supreme Court size
US Congress Fails to Advance Amendment to Limit Supreme Court Size