Biden's Proposed Supreme Court Reforms
President Joe Biden is considering significant reforms to the United States Supreme Court in response to recent controversial rulings and ethical scandals involving some of its justices. Key proposals include imposing term limits on the nine justices, who currently hold lifetime appointments, and establishing a binding ethical code for the Court. These changes, which Biden has been discussing with constitutional experts for the past three months, were revealed during a teleconference with the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Biden emphasized the urgent need for these reforms, stating, "I'm going to need your help on the Supreme Court, because I'm about to present an important initiative to limit the Court." The president's initiative comes in the wake of several high-profile decisions by the Court, including the elimination of the constitutional right to abortion and the expansion of firearms rights. These rulings have intensified calls for judicial reform among Democrats, who argue that the current conservative majority on the Court does not reflect the will of the American people.
Challenges and Political Implications
Implementing these reforms will be challenging, as they require approval from Congress, where Republicans currently hold a majority in the House of Representatives. In addition, Biden is considering a constitutional amendment to eliminate the broad immunity for presidents granted by the Court in a recent ruling favoring Donald Trump. This amendment would face even greater obstacles, given the need for widespread bipartisan support.
The president's push for Supreme Court reform is also seen as a strategic move ahead of the upcoming elections. By advocating for these changes, Biden aims to mobilize voters who are dissatisfied with the Court's recent decisions and ethical controversies. According to a 2022 poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, about two-thirds of Americans favor term limits or a mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court justices. However, the path to reform remains steep, with Senate Democrats' recent attempts to pass an ethics bill for the Court facing strong opposition from Republicans.
Despite these challenges, Biden's proposals have garnered support from key Democratic lawmakers. Representatives Ro Khanna and Don Beyer have introduced legislation to impose 18-year term limits on future justices, a move that would create regular vacancies and reduce the potential for partisan retirements. Khanna praised Biden's embrace of the idea, stating, "It is a big step for him to now call for commonsense term limits for the Court and a code of judicial ethics."
