Proposed Changes to U.S. Supreme Court

SOURCE www.npr.org
President Biden is expected to announce his support for changes to the U.S. Supreme Court, including term limits and a mandatory ethics code, despite facing challenges due to the current political climate.

Key Points

  • President Biden preparing to call for term limits and an enforceable ethics code for U.S. Supreme Court justices.
  • Proposals mark a significant shift as Biden had previously resisted changes to the court.
  • Proposals welcomed by ethics watchdogs and supported by the party's left flank.
  • Concerns raised about the impact of a second Trump term on the judiciary.
  • Challenges in implementation due to the need for constitutional amendments or congressional action.

Pros

  • Calls for term limits and an enforceable ethics code aim to bring basic oversight to the Supreme Court.
  • Proposals welcomed by ethics watchdogs and supported by the party's left flank.
  • Addresses concerns about the impact of a second Trump term on the judiciary.

Cons

  • Constitutional amendment or congressional action needed for implementation, which is unlikely in the current political climate.
  • Practical difficulties in implementing term limits with existing justices serving lifetime appointments.