Americans split on expanding Supreme Court and term limits after House rejects nine-justice cap

Right · 2Americans interviewed by Fox News Digital on Capitol Hill held competing views on whether the Supreme Court needs changing, as lawmakers argue over expanding it beyond nine justices. 1 2 Right · 1Some interviewees opposed change ("If it's not broken, don't fix it," said Tim from Washington, D.C.). Carl from Texas said that if the court is to be enlarged, "let's pack it now." 1 Right · 2Derek, also from Washington, said more justices could force more consensus, but that adding one or two would be acceptable while doubling the court would "go overboard." Mark from Washington said term limits might be more effective than a larger court, which he said might not change the court's political bent. 1 2

Right · 2A Republican-backed constitutional amendment to fix the court permanently at nine justices failed in the House in September, short of the required two-thirds majority. Passing it would also have needed a two-thirds Senate vote and ratification by three-fourths of the states. 1 2 Right · 1Democratic lawmakers have introduced proposals including Rep. Al Green's bill to expand the bench from nine to 13 justices and Rep. Ro Khanna's measure for 18-year terms for newly appointed justices. Other proposals would impose enforceable ethics standards and require more transparency on the court's emergency "shadow docket" rulings. 2 Right · 1Republicans argue the Democratic proposals are a reaction to anger over rulings that went against the party, while the articles say Democrats have alleged that the court's rulings are rooted in politics rather than law. 2

Right · 2The Constitution creates the Supreme Court but does not set its size, leaving that to Congress. Congress set six seats in 1789, the number changed several times in the 19th century, reaching as many as 10, and the current nine was set in 1869. 1 2