{"id":2346910,"date":"2024-09-27T18:31:02","date_gmt":"2024-09-27T22:31:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-up-pressure-on-supreme-court-with-bill-adding-six-justices-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-09-27T18:33:32","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T22:33:32","slug":"democrats-up-pressure-on-supreme-court-with-bill-adding-six-justices-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-up-pressure-on-supreme-court-with-bill-adding-six-justices-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Democrats up pressure on Supreme Court with bill adding six justices &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdemocrats-up-pressure-on-supreme-court-with-bill-adding-six-justices-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2346910&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senate Democrats \u200care increasing their efforts to reform the Supreme Court by introducing a bill aimed at expanding the number of justices\u2063 from nine to fifteen over the next\u200b twelve years. \u2064Senator\u200b Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced this ambitious \u2062legislation, which seeks to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-senators-call-to-defund-unrwa-until-proven-no-ties-exist-to-anti-israel-extremism\/\" title=\"GOP senators demand defunding UNRWA until it proves no links to anti-Israel extremism\">impose stricter requirements<\/a> for\u2063 the \u200dcourt\u2063 when overturning laws and mandates \u200daudits of justices&#8217; tax returns. This proposal is part \u200bof broader \u2062Democratic efforts to address \u200dperceived imbalances in the court, \u2064particularly in \u200clight of its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/presidential-supreme-court-commission-discusses-term-limits-for-justices\/\" title=\"Presidential Supreme Court Commission discusses term limits for Justices\">current conservative majority<\/a>, which was solidified under former President \u200bTrump.<\/p>\n<p>Wyden emphasizes that the\u200c bill aims to restore balance among\u200d the three\u200b branches of \u2064government, \u2063proposing that presidents \u2062appoint new justices in their first and\u2064 third years\u2062 of \u2062office to prevent any one party from dominating the court. However, the bill faces considerable \u2062challenges, \u2064including\u200c firm opposition from House Republicans and skepticism from some Democrats. Critics of the proposal argue that it\u2063 constitutes\u200b a politically\u200c motivated attempt to \u200d&#8221;pack&#8221;\u2063 the court, and a recent poll indicates that while\u2062 there is support for ethics reforms, court expansion is unpopular among the public.<\/p>\n<p>In\u2064 addition to expanding \u2064the court, the legislation also proposes making it more difficult for the Supreme\u200b Court to strike down \u200bexisting laws, which has gained traction among Democrats who are worried about its recent politically charged rulings. This\u2063 initiative\u200b comes amid various controversies involving justices, highlighting a perceived need for reforms in the\u200d judicial appointment\u200c process. \u200bwhile the \u2062bill represents a \u2063significant \u200cDemocratic push for reform,\u2063 its future remains \u2064uncertain given the political\u2063 landscape.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Democrats up pressure on Supreme Court with bill adding six justices<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1768642\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Senate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic-party\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Democrats<\/a> are ramping up pressure against the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/supreme-court\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Supreme Court<\/a> just weeks before Election Day, introducing a bill that would expand the number of justices from nine to 15 over the course of 12 years. <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Sen. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ron-wyden\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Ron Wyden<\/a> (D-OR) on Thursday <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wyden.senate.gov\/news\/press-releases\/wyden-introduces-sweeping-court-reforms-to-restore-public-trust-as-supreme-court-faces-legitimacy-crisis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>announced<\/a> his latest legislation, which also seeks to implement stricter requirements on the Supreme Court for rulings that overturn laws and proposes mandatory audits of justices&rsquo; tax returns. Wyden&rsquo;s proposal comes amid other Democratic-led legislative attempts to change the high court, including Vice President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kamala-harris\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Kamala Harris<\/a>&lsquo;s recent openness to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3165436\/harris-renews-senate-democrats-weaken-filibuster-despite-hurdles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>break the filibuster<\/a>, as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2024-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>2024 election<\/a> draws nearer.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) talks during a Senate Finance Committee business meeting to consider the nomination of Martin O&rsquo;Malley, of Maryland, to be Commissioner of Social Security on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Mariam Zuhaib)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Wyden&rsquo;s bill represents one of the most ambitious proposals to date as Democrats fume over the 6-3 Republican-appointed majority on the high court, installed with the help of former President Donald Trump and then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).<\/p>\n<p>The measure aims to restore &ldquo;balance between the three branches of government,&rdquo; Wyden said after announcing the bill. Under the legislation, each president would appoint new justices in their first and third years of office, with the goal of preventing one party from dominating the court by stacking it with their nominees.<\/p>\n<p>But Wyden&rsquo;s bill is unlikely to pass in its entirety, as Republicans, who control the House, are largely opposed to efforts to overhaul the court. Even Democrats face an uphill battle, with some party members hesitant to support such sweeping changes.<\/p>\n<p>And other conservatives and court reform skeptics argue the bill represents little more than a politically motivated attempt to pack the court. Carrie Severino, president of the conservative judicial advocacy group JCN, described the proposal as &ldquo;a blank check for people who want to harass justices&rdquo; and a continuation of efforts to intimidate the court.<\/p>\n<p>Another potential deterrent for Democrats to support Wyden&rsquo;s bill is how unpopular court packing has become. While a <em>USA Today<\/em>-Ipsos poll from August found that 75% of people support a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-democrats-to-push-binding-supreme-court-ethics-code-bill-as-gop-balks\/\" title=\"Senate Democrats plan to advance a bill enforcing a binding ethics code for the Supreme Court, despite Republican opposition.\">binding ethics code<\/a> for justices, only 40% approved of expanding the court from nine to 15 justices.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s still very unpopular, and yet it continues to be their go-to. I am floored as to why they would decide this is their closing argument here, as we&rsquo;re approaching an election,&rdquo; Severino said.<\/p>\n<p>The bill also includes provisions to make it harder for the court to strike down laws. Wyden proposed requiring a two-thirds vote by the justices or circuit courts to overturn congressional legislation, arguing that narrow majorities have been too quick to curtail established rights.<\/p>\n<p>The introduction of the bill comes amid a broader Democratic push to reform the Supreme Court. Other recent proposals include implementing 18-year term limits for justices and introducing an enforceable ethics code. These efforts follow a series of Democratic-driven ethics scandals involving justices, including Justice Clarence Thomas, who reportedly failed to disclose luxury travel and gifts funded by billionaire Harlan Crow.<\/p>\n<p>The debate over the Supreme Court&rsquo;s composition also resurfaced during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, where <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3164125\/senate-democrats-enlist-ex-watergate-prosecutor-slam-trump-immunity-ruling\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>lawmakers examined the court&rsquo;s recent decision<\/a> finding former presidents enjoy some immunity from prosecutions. The <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/3030301\/supreme-court-finds-some-immunity-for-presidents-complicating-trump-indictment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Trump v. United States\">Trump v. United States<\/a> <\/em>ruling is only one of the latest decisions to become a political flashpoint for Democrats who claim the Supreme Court needs measures to rein it in.<\/p>\n<p>Wyden&rsquo;s bill also seeks to address what he described as the politicization of the judicial appointment process. One provision would require the Senate to vote on Supreme Court nominees within 180 days, preventing the type of delay seen in 2016, when McConnell blocked former President Barack Obama&rsquo;s nomination of Merrick Garland.<\/p>\n<p>However, critics such as Severino argue that these changes, such as requiring the IRS to audit the justices&rsquo; tax returns each year, would only exacerbate political tensions surrounding the court.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is just an attempt to amplify the intimidation campaign against the court,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;If you knew you could file frivolous motions to waste justices&rsquo; time, guess how many more would be filed?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin. (AP Photo\/Morry Gash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While Wyden hopes that elements of the bill can gain traction, the likelihood of its full passage remains slim, with both parties sharply divided in the debate over the court&rsquo;s future.<\/p>\n<p>The senator&rsquo;s effort marks yet more evidence of how far Democrats are wiling to go to offset the Republican-leaning court under Chief Justice John Roberts, as Harris has said her willingness to skirt the filibuster would be for the purpose of restoring the Democratic-backed precedent of <em>Roe v. Wade<\/em>, which was overturned by the current high court in 2022.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1768642\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1768642\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Democrats push to expand Supreme Court justices from 9 to 15<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2346912,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/supreme-court-justices.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[3685,41877,4762,32275,32076],"class_list":["post-2346910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-democrats","tag-justice-reform","tag-legislation","tag-supreme-court","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/supreme-court-justices.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2346910","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2346910"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2346910\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2346912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2346910"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2346910"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2346910"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}