Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is spearheading a renewed push for a constitutional amendment to solidify the number of Supreme Court justices at nine. This comes as discussions around court expansion continue to circulate. With the support of 19 co-sponsors, including prominent Republicans like Senators Bill Cassidy (LA), Chuck Grassley (IA), and Mike Crapo (ID), Cruz aims to prevent what he views as a potential power grab by the Democrats.
Cruz argues that Democrats are attempting to manipulate the Court to achieve political objectives they haven't been able to secure through elections. He believes such actions would jeopardize the integrity and impartiality of the Supreme Court, turning it into a partisan tool. The proposed amendment seeks to safeguard the Court's role as a neutral arbiter of the law.
Senator Grassley echoes Cruz's concerns, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the Court's independence from political influence. He views the potential expansion of the Court as a threat to its legitimacy and a dangerous departure from established precedent.
The current nine-justice composition of the Supreme Court holds a conservative majority. Recent rulings, particularly the overturning of Roe v. Wade, have reignited calls from Democrats for court reforms, including expansion, term limits, and other structural changes.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris previously expressed openness to exploring court reforms, citing declining public trust in the Supreme Court. She pointed to specific decisions, like the Dobbs ruling, as contributing factors to this erosion of confidence.
Other prominent Democrats, including Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), have also advocated for significant changes to the Supreme Court's structure. Proposals for expanding the court to a 13-justice bench have been consistently put forth by Democrats.
Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) and several other Democratic lawmakers have reintroduced the Judiciary Act of 2023, aiming to address what they perceive as vulnerabilities within the Supreme Court's current framework.
