A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that the Supreme Court of the United States be composed of nine justices.

3/12/2024, 4:03 AM

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the Supreme Court to consist of nine Justices.

Bill 118 SJRes 21 is a joint resolution that proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The purpose of this amendment is to mandate that the Supreme Court of the United States must consist of nine justices. Currently, the number of justices on the Supreme Court is not specified in the Constitution, and has fluctuated over time.

This resolution seeks to establish a fixed number of justices on the Supreme Court in order to maintain consistency and stability within the judicial branch. The idea behind this amendment is to prevent any potential manipulation of the number of justices for political gain, and to ensure that the Supreme Court remains an impartial and fair institution.

If this resolution were to be passed and ratified as an amendment to the Constitution, it would require a significant level of support from both houses of Congress as well as the majority of state legislatures. This process is intentionally difficult in order to ensure that any changes to the Constitution are made thoughtfully and with broad consensus. Overall, Bill 118 SJRes 21 aims to establish a clear and unchanging number of justices on the Supreme Court, in order to uphold the integrity and independence of the judicial branch.
Congress
118

Number
SJRES - 21

Introduced on
2023-03-22

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

3/22/2023

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the Supreme Court to consist of nine Justices.

Bill 118 SJRes 21 is a joint resolution that proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The purpose of this amendment is to mandate that the Supreme Court of the United States must consist of nine justices. Currently, the number of justices on the Supreme Court is not specified in the Constitution, and has fluctuated over time.

This resolution seeks to establish a fixed number of justices on the Supreme Court in order to maintain consistency and stability within the judicial branch. The idea behind this amendment is to prevent any potential manipulation of the number of justices for political gain, and to ensure that the Supreme Court remains an impartial and fair institution.

If this resolution were to be passed and ratified as an amendment to the Constitution, it would require a significant level of support from both houses of Congress as well as the majority of state legislatures. This process is intentionally difficult in order to ensure that any changes to the Constitution are made thoughtfully and with broad consensus. Overall, Bill 118 SJRes 21 aims to establish a clear and unchanging number of justices on the Supreme Court, in order to uphold the integrity and independence of the judicial branch.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that the Supreme Court of the United States be composed of nine justices.

Policy Areas
Law

Potential Impact
Constitution and constitutional amendments•
Judges•
Supreme Court

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary6/8/2023

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the Supreme Court to consist of nine Justices.


Latest Action3/22/2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.