Two prominent U.S. senators from opposing political affiliations join forces to reform the nation's highest court.
According to Newsweek, Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) have introduced a joint resolution for a constitutional amendment that would impose 18-year term limits on Supreme Court justices while maintaining the nine-seat composition of the Court.
The proposal comes amid growing public support for judicial reform, with a June poll indicating 58 percent of eligible voters favor term limits for Supreme Court justices. The resolution aims to address concerns about political manipulation in the appointment process while preserving the Court's traditional structure.
The proposed constitutional amendment includes a careful transition strategy that protects current justices' lifetime appointments. Under the new system, fresh 18-year terms would commence every two years, allowing incoming justices to serve the remainder of the next available term after existing justices step down.
Senator Manchin emphasized the dysfunction of the current system, pointing to how lifetime appointments have contributed to increasingly divisive confirmation battles. The proposal aligns with President Joe Biden's broader vision for Supreme Court reform, which he detailed in a Washington Post opinion piece published in July.
The reform initiative extends beyond term limits to include the establishment of an enforceable ethics code and the elimination of broad immunity for high-ranking officials. These measures directly address recent controversies involving undisclosed gifts to justices and debates surrounding presidential accountability.
Senator Elizabeth Warren has proposed a different pathway to reform, suggesting that both term limits and court expansion could be achieved through legislative action rather than constitutional amendment. Her stance represents a growing movement among Democrats who seek faster implementation of judicial reforms.
The debate has intensified following several controversial Supreme Court decisions on critical issues, including abortion rights, presidential immunity, and federal agency powers. Some Democratic lawmakers have proposed more dramatic changes, such as the Judiciary Act, which would expand the court to thirteen justices.
The current appointment system has led to significant disparities in judicial appointments across presidential terms. Former President Donald Trump appointed three justices during his first term, while Barack Obama appointed two across eight years, and President Biden has appointed one thus far.
Public sentiment indicates broad support for judicial reform measures, with only 13 percent of eligible voters opposing term limits for Supreme Court justices. This statistic reflects growing concerns about the Court's current structure and its impact on American democracy.
Senator Welch highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating:
Taking action to restore public trust in our nation's most powerful Court is as urgent as it is necessary. Setting term limits for Supreme Court Justices will cut down on political gamesmanship, and is a commonsense reform supported by a majority of Americans.
Senators Peter Welch and Joe Manchin have introduced a resolution for a constitutional amendment to establish 18-year term limits for Supreme Court justices. The bipartisan proposal aims to reform the appointment process while maintaining the Court's nine-seat structure.
The resolution's success depends on garnering sufficient congressional support and state ratification, as it addresses longstanding concerns about lifetime appointments and their impact on the Court's politicization. If passed, the amendment would implement a systematic approach to judicial appointments while protecting current justices' lifetime tenure.
