12/08/2024

Sens. Manchin, Welch Propose Supreme Court Term-limits Amendment

The proposal would impose 18-year term limits

Two senators have introduced a constitutional amendment that would establish term limits for Supreme Court justices, a long-shot escalation of the congressional effort to overhaul the nation's highest court amid multiple ethics scandals and sinking public approval.

The amendment — introduced Thursday by Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vermont) and outgoing Sen. Joe Manchin III (I-West Virginia) — would impose 18-year term limits on new justices appointed to the court, so eventually there would be a new opening about every two years.

Welch, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the goal of the amendment is to restore confidence in the high court and promote judicial independence. “Most people see the court as political. In fact, I do as well," he said. "The question is, 'How can we restore confidence?'"

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Washington Post.