President Biden is pushing Congress to make significant changes to the U.S. Supreme Court, including establishing term limits and an enforceable ethics code for justices. He also wants lawmakers to ratify a constitutional amendment limiting presidential immunity. The proposal, detailed by the White House, is seen as a way to address growing outrage among Democrats over the court’s conservative majority and recent decisions overturning landmark rulings.
The plan, endorsed by Vice President Harris, aims to restore confidence in the court and strengthen democracy. However, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed the proposal as a “dangerous gambit” that is unlikely to pass in Congress.
Biden’s proposal includes doing away with lifetime appointments to the court and implementing term limits to ensure turnover and predictability in nominations. He also calls for a court code of ethics and a constitutional amendment to reverse the immunity ruling that shields former presidents from prosecution.
The public appears divided on the idea of term limits for Supreme Court justices, with a majority supporting some form of age limit, according to a poll. Both conservative and liberal politicians have spoken in favor of term limits for justices to prevent undue influence and ensure the court reflects modern America.
Despite facing challenges in Congress and criticism from opponents, Biden is determined to push for reforms at the Supreme Court, as he believes the current system is undermining public confidence in the institution. The proposal marks a significant shift for Biden, who had been hesitant to address court reform as a candidate but now sees it as necessary for upholding democratic values.
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