House Rejects GOP Bid to Lock Supreme Court at 9 Justices
GOP effort to permanently fix Supreme Court at nine justices fails in House vote, setting up future battles over judicial reform.
The update
The House rejected a Republican-proposed constitutional amendment to limit the Supreme Court to nine justices in a 212-206 vote on Wednesday. The measure, introduced by GOP Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona, fell well short of the two-thirds majority needed for constitutional amendments. The amendment would have permanently fixed the court’s size at “one chief justice and eight associate justices.”
Why it matters
The failed amendment reveals deep partisan divides over judicial reform. While Republicans argued that a fixed court prevents “political palooza” and expansion by whichever party controls Congress, Democrats opposed it as stripping Congress of constitutional authority. The vote comes amid ongoing debate about court expansion, with some Democrats including Rep. James Clyburn having voiced support for expanding to 13 justices.
What to watch
Future legislative attempts to address Supreme Court reform, judicial nominations, and whether this issue becomes a factor in upcoming elections. The debate over court size remains unresolved, with both parties positioning themselves on the issue ahead of potential vacancies on the bench.
Sources
- cbsnews.com — Vote details, Republican arguments, and Democratic opposition
- thehill.com — Party-line vote breakdown and context on Democratic opposition
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