Term-Limit Reform Proposal Using Appellate Jurisdiction
Key Questions
What does Senator Whitehouse's bill propose for Supreme Court justices?
The bill would impose 18-year term limits on U.S. Supreme Court justices by using Congress's power to regulate appellate jurisdiction. This approach seeks to avoid the need for a constitutional amendment.
How would the proposal term-limit justices without amending the Constitution?
It relies on Congress's existing authority over the Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction rather than changing the Constitution directly. Senate Democrats introduced the legislation this week to achieve this reform.
What concerns does the term-limit proposal raise?
The bill raises constitutional questions about the limits of congressional power over the judiciary. It also carries the potential for future litigation if enacted.
Senator Whitehouse introduced a bill to term-limit Supreme Court justices by using Congress's power to regulate appellate jurisdiction, sidestepping a constitutional amendment. Raises constitutional questions and potential future litigation.