In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- President Joe Biden proposed Supreme Court reforms, including term limits and an ethics code, aiming to energize Democratic voters despite slim chances in Congress.
- The move follows controversial court decisions and ethics scandals, highlighting Biden’s effort to address public confidence in the judiciary.
On Monday, US President Joe Biden announced plans to reform the Supreme Court, aiming to leave a significant mark during his final six months in office.
Supported by Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden, the presumptive Democratic election nominee, proposed 18-year term limits for justices and an enforceable ethics code.
Biden, at 81, also seeks a constitutional amendment to overturn the court’s recent decision backing former President Donald Trump’s claims of presidential immunity.
Speaking to reporters before heading to Austin, Texas, where he would further discuss his plans, Biden emphasized the necessity of Supreme Court reform.
These proposals follow a series of controversial Supreme Court decisions, including the 2022 repeal of the nationwide right to abortion, and come amidst numerous scandals involving the lifetime-appointed justices.
While the likelihood of these plans passing through a divided Congress is slim, they could energize Democratic voters for the upcoming November 2024 election, despite Biden dropping out of the race just over a week ago.
In an opinion piece for the Washington Post, Biden stressed that his proposals aim to demonstrate that “no one is above the law.”
He noted that the current situation undermines public confidence in the court’s decisions, which affect personal freedoms.
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Biden confirmed his commitment to these reforms during an Oval Office address outlining his priorities for his remaining months in office.
Vice President Harris echoed Biden’s sentiments, calling on Congress to pass the reforms.
She argued that these measures would restore confidence in the Court, strengthen democracy, and ensure accountability.
However, Republican leaders, who control the House of Representatives, have dismissed Biden’s Supreme Court plans as “dead on arrival.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson argued that the proposal would disrupt the balance of power and erode trust in the justice system.
Legal expert Steven Schwinn assessed Biden’s chances of success as “close to zero,” suggesting the president’s real goal might be to raise public awareness and make the Supreme Court an election issue.
With a 6-3 conservative majority, the Supreme Court wields significant influence over American life, from reproductive health to environmental regulations.
Trump appointed three justices during his presidency, and Democrats warn that a second term could allow him to appoint even more.
Biden, who previously resisted court reform, has changed his stance following several Supreme Court rulings against his policies.
The court’s decision to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling shocked many, leading to full or partial abortion bans in at least 20 states.
Additionally, the Supreme Court has curtailed the power of federal agencies, blocked Biden’s student debt forgiveness plan, and partially supported Trump’s immunity claims. Trump is leveraging this ruling to contest his recent criminal conviction and other prosecutions.
The Supreme Court has also faced ethics scandals involving conservative justices. Justice Clarence Thomas admitted to accepting luxury vacations from a billionaire Republican donor, while Justice Samuel Alito has faced calls to recuse himself from Trump-related cases due to flags linked to Trump’s false election fraud claims being displayed at his properties.