Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.V., and Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., have put forth a constitutional amendment aimed at establishing term limits for future Supreme Court justices. Currently, justices serve without any restrictions on the length of their terms, as per the U.S. Constitution.
The proposed amendment suggests implementing 18-year terms, with new terms starting every two years. However, these term limits would only apply to justices appointed after the amendment's ratification, allowing current justices to serve for as long as they choose.
The amendment aims to create a system where 18-year terms commence every two years, irrespective of when a current justice steps down. Once a sitting justice retires, the newly appointed justice would serve the remainder of the next open 18-year term, without altering the total number of justices on the Court.
Manchin, who will soon conclude his Senate term, emphasized the need for term limits to address the contentious confirmation battles and political posturing surrounding Supreme Court appointments, which have undermined public trust in the institution.
The proposed amendment also specifies that the Supreme Court should consist of nine justices, a number that has been in place since the Judiciary Act of 1869.
With three of the current justices appointed by former President Trump and only one by President Biden, the push for term limits is seen as a crucial step to reduce political influence and enhance public confidence in the judiciary.
Welch echoed the sentiment, highlighting the urgency of restoring trust in the nation's highest court. Term limits, he argued, would curb political maneuvering and garner support from a majority of Americans, ultimately bolstering faith in the judicial system.
The bipartisan effort led by Manchin and Welch seeks to usher in a new era of accountability and transparency within the Supreme Court, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding public trust in the judiciary.
