Two senators, Peter Welch and Joe Manchin, have proposed a constitutional amendment to implement term limits for Supreme Court justices, aiming to address concerns about the lifetime appointment structure, which they say has eroded public trust. The amendment would establish nonrenewable 18-year terms for new justices every two years and create regular vacancies on the Court without altering the total number of justices. This proposal aims to cut down on political gamesmanship and enhance public confidence in the court, which has been facing low approval ratings.
However, the idea faces obstacles, including the difficulty of amending the Constitution and the Republican majority in the Senate tasked with confirming presidential appointments. Similar bills have been introduced in the past, including the Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization Act and the Judicial Modernization and Transparency Act, with varied proposals to reform the Supreme Court.
Despite facing challenges, the idea of imposing term limits on Supreme Court justices is gaining support among Democrats and a majority of Americans, according to a survey. While some see Senator Joe Manchin as an obstructionist within the party, this latest proposal aligns with the progressive agenda to address concerns about misconduct, abuse of power, and the need for oversight within the Supreme Court. Moving forward, the fate of this proposal will depend on bipartisan cooperation and public sentiment.
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