Senators Propose Legislation to Limit Supreme Court Terms to 18 Years
The proposed legislation aims to initiate the constitutional amendment process, which necessitates supermajority approval in Congress and ratification by three-quarters of the state legislatures.
Two senators have put forth a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution intended to establish term limits for Supreme Court justices.
Under the proposed system, new 18-year terms would commence every two years, regardless of when a current justice retires. When a justice steps down, the following appointee will take over for the remainder of the next scheduled 18-year term.
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Manchin, whose Senate term concludes when the new Congress assembles on January 3, 2025, expressed that the existing lifetime appointment system is flawed and gives rise to divisive confirmation struggles and political maneuvering, which have diminished trust in the Supreme Court.
“Our proposed amendment ensures that there will always be nine justices and will gradually create regular openings on the court, allowing the President to appoint a new justice every two years with the Senate’s advice and consent,” he stated.
Additional proposals are under consideration in Congress aiming to limit the tenure of Supreme Court justices.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who leads a Senate subcommittee that oversees federal courts, has introduced legislation restricting justices’ terms to 18 years. Representatives Don Beyer (D-Va.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) have introduced a similar bill in the House.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has voiced his opposition to reform proposals regarding the Supreme Court, including those advocating for term limits, which are supported by Democratic lawmakers and President Joe Biden.
“Their intent is not to improve the court; it’s to make it more liberal.”
The Epoch Times has reached out to the Supreme Court for comments but has yet to receive a response by the time of publication.
