POLITICS
Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) has introduced a constitutional amendment to create term limits for U.S. Supreme Court Justices.
This week, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) filed a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to establish term limits for U.S. Supreme Court Justices. The amendment would institute nonrenewable, 18-year terms for new U.S. Supreme Court Justices, with a new term starting every two years.
The Senators’ amendment aims to restore confidence in the Court, eliminate political gamesmanship from the nomination process, and reinforce judicial independence.
Public trust in the Supreme Court has eroded in recent years. Following the 2024 Supreme Court term, only 16% of Americans had “a great deal of confidence” in the Court.
The vast majority of the country supports the establishment of term limits for Supreme Court Justices and 49 of the 50 states have determined judicial term restrictions are appropriate for those serving on their highest court.
The proposed amendment would not adjust the tenure of sitting Justices but rather institute a transition period to maintain regular vacancies as current Justices retire.
During that period, 18-year terms will begin every two years, regardless of when a current Justice leaves the bench. Once a current Justice retires, the newly appointed Justice will serve out the remainder of the next open 18-year term. The amendment would not change the overall number of Justices on the Court.
The joint resolution is supported by former federal judges and scholars across the legal spectrum
