The term would become 18 years with a new justice appointed every two years.
A group of senators led by Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey introduced legislation that would make significant changes to the Supreme Court. Under the bill, a new Supreme Court justice would be appointed every two years and have an 18-year term limit.
Senator Booker stated that the Supreme Court faces a “crisis of legitimacy.“ He added, “This crisis has eroded faith and confidence in our nation’s highest court. Fundamental reform is necessary to address this crisis and restore trust in the institution.”
It is debatable whether Congress has the authority to impose term limits on Supreme Court justices without an amendment. The U.S. Constitution states, in Article III Section 1, that “judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behaviour…“
Also involved in the bill’s introduction were Senators Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Alex Padilla of California, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Peter Welch of Vermont, and Brian Schatz of Hawaii.
The odds of the passage of the reform legislation are slim.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For members of the Senate as they consider the bill that would impose term limits on Supreme Court justices.
- For justices of the Supreme Court as they hear and rule on appeals from lower courts.
Sources: The Hill, Bloomberg Law News
