Democrats eye Supreme Court reforms after securing House and Senate majorities
With control of both chambers, Democrats may advance proposals on court ethics, term limits and possible expansion, though Senate hurdles and a presidential veto remain likely.
Washington — After winning majorities in the House and Senate in the recent midterm elections, Democrats are positioned to revive legislative efforts aimed at reforming the Supreme Court. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to become speaker, said in a letter to colleagues that the party must "clean up the mess at the Supreme Court and ban Members of Congress from trading stocks." Jeffries told NBC's "Meet the Press" that "dramatic" reform is needed and indicated that Rep. Jamie Raskin would likely lead the effort in the Judiciary Committee.
Democrats have introduced a range of proposals over the past years, including ethics rules, term limits and the addition of seats. In 2023, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a bill requiring the Court to adopt a code of conduct and disclose gifts, but the measure died before a full Senate vote. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse reintroduced the legislation in May 2025, with a companion bill in the House from Rep. Hank Johnson. Other initiatives from Senators Cory Booker and Rep. Daniel Goldman seek to create internal ethics and investigative offices for the Court, while a measure from Rep. Raskin and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez would bar judges from receiving gifts over $50.
Separate proposals would impose term limits, such as an 18-year limit introduced by Rep. Johnny Olszewski, which would require justices who have served longer to retire. A similar constitutional-amendment plan from Rep. Tom Barrett, a Republican who lost his seat, calls for a 20-year limit for both Supreme Court and lower-court judges.
Expanding the Court’s size is also being discussed, with some Democrats advocating for additional seats in response to recent controversial rulings. However, any reform would need a 60-vote supermajority in the Senate, where Democrats are projected to hold between 54 and 56 seats, and would still require President Donald Trump's signature to become law.
Advocates such as Gabe Roth, executive director of Fix the Court, argue that reforms should extend beyond the high court to address misconduct allegations against federal judges, suggesting broader ethics rules and a ban on stock trading for all judges.