A groundbreaking legislative proposal aims to reshape the nation's highest judicial body, sparking debate on the future of the Supreme Court.
According to NewsNation, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden has introduced a bill to reform the Supreme Court, including a controversial plan to add six more seats.
The Judicial Modernization and Transparency Act, unveiled on Thursday, seeks to address what Wyden describes as a "legitimacy crisis" in the court.
The proposed legislation encompasses a wide range of reforms aimed at restoring balance among the three branches of government, increasing transparency, and modernizing the courts. While Wyden acknowledges the bill's slim chances of passing in its entirety, he hopes that portions of it will eventually be implemented to bring about some degree of change.
Wyden's proposal suggests expanding the Supreme Court from nine to 15 justices over three presidential terms, with structured appointments in the first and third years of each term. A provision would ensure timely votes on nominees if no action occurs within 180 days.
The proposed expansion would also involve reassigning justices to oversee specific circuits, a practice that has fallen out of use. Additionally, the bill suggests splitting the Ninth Circuit and creating a new Southwestern Circuit to better distribute the workload.
A key aspect of the Judicial Modernization and Transparency Act focuses on increasing public trust in the Supreme Court through enhanced transparency measures. One notable provision would require the Internal Revenue Service to audit each justice's income tax return and make these records publicly available.
The bill also addresses recent ethics concerns by proposing a mechanism for justices to vote on recusing a colleague from a case. This comes in the wake of controversies surrounding Justice Clarence Thomas's undisclosed luxury trips with a GOP megadonor.
Wyden emphasized the importance of these measures, stating:
The Supreme Court is in crisis and bold solutions are necessary to restore the public trust. More transparency, more accountability and more checks on a power hungry Supreme Court are just what the American people are asking for.
In addition to structural changes, the bill proposes alterations to the court's decision-making process. A notable provision would require a supermajority of justices to overturn acts of Congress, potentially making it more difficult for the court to strike down legislation.
The bill also aims to improve public access to the court's opinions and deliberations. By making these processes more transparent, Wyden hopes to increase public understanding and trust in the judicial system. These changes come at a time when the Supreme Court has faced increased scrutiny and criticism from various quarters, including lawmakers and the public.
While the bill has generated significant discussion, its passage faces considerable obstacles. Critics argue that expanding the court could lead to further politicization of the judicial branch, while supporters view it as a necessary step to restore balance and public confidence.
Senator Ron Wyden's Judicial Modernization and Transparency Act proposes significant reforms to the Supreme Court, including expanding it to 15 justices and implementing new transparency measures. The bill aims to address perceived imbalances in the judicial system and restore public trust. While its passage faces challenges, the proposal has reignited discussions about the future of America's highest court and the need for potential reforms in the judicial branch.
