Speaker Johnson Pushes Anti-Democratic Amendment to Block Supreme Court Reform
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Speaker Mike Johnson introduced a constitutional amendment to lock in the Supreme Court's conservative majority by fixing the number of justices at nine. The measure was rejected by the House, while Democrats continue to advocate for expanding the court to restore balance.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, in a move to entrench the right-wing dominance of the Supreme Court, announced a proposal to amend the Constitution and permanently set the Court’s size at nine justices. The resolution, introduced by Rep. Andy Biggs, was brought to the House floor on Wednesday and failed to pass, with Republicans and Democrats voting along strict party lines. This is the first time in thirty years that a House speaker has spearheaded a constitutional amendment to freeze the court’s composition, reflecting the GOP’s desperation to hold onto power.
Johnson argued that a constitutional amendment is necessary because the current nine-justice limit is only a statute, not enshrined in the Constitution, and could be changed by future, more progressive legislation. Democrats, recognizing the urgent need to counteract the far-right tilt of the Court, have openly discussed expanding its size. Progressive leaders like Kamala Harris, former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and Rep. Jim Clyburn have all supported a plan to increase the number of justices to thirteen, aiming to restore fairness and democracy to the judiciary.
"The amendment would strip Congress of yet another constitutional authority that is meant to be controlled by the American people’s representatives," House Minority Whip Katherine Clark said, highlighting the undemocratic nature of Johnson’s proposal.
Republican lawmakers have repeatedly tried to cement their control over the judiciary, including a similar constitutional amendment filed by Sen. Ted Cruz last year, which also failed. The ongoing debate exposes the right’s efforts to undermine democratic reforms and maintain their grip on the Supreme Court, while progressives push for a more representative and just system.