Democrats want to take control of the Supreme Court by any means necessary.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is signaling a bold agenda for Supreme Court reform should Democrats achieve a clean sweep of the White House and both houses of Congress in the upcoming November elections.
In a recent interview with NBC News, Schumer outlined a series of ambitious changes he hopes to pursue, although achieving these reforms would require Democratic control over both the executive and legislative branches—an outcome that remains uncertain. He emphasized that court reform is a significant priority, expressing his conviction that such changes are essential for the future of the republic.
Schumer’s proposed reforms include:
- Implementing an ethics code for Supreme Court justices
- Introducing 18-year term limits for justices
- Ending “forum shopping,” where litigants seek out favorable courts for their cases
Additionally, Schumer has already put forward the No Kings Act, aimed at overturning a Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity.
Despite these plans, Democrats face a challenging political landscape. They must defend several vulnerable Senate seats, with the current Senate split evenly at 50-50, particularly with the impending retirement of West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, who is expected to be replaced by a Republican. Other key states such as Ohio, Montana, and Nevada will also be crucial for maintaining Democratic control of the Senate.
Currently, Republicans hold a slight edge in the House, and GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump leads Democratic nominee Kamala Harris by 1.2 points, according to the latest RealClearPolitics polling average.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has dismissed the proposed reform legislation as “dead on arrival,” while Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, vehemently opposed the measures, accusing Democrats of attempting to undermine the Supreme Court and the federal judiciary.
Despite this resistance, Schumer remains resolute. He contends that the Supreme Court has become problematic both ethically and substantively, and he has criticized Chief Justice John Roberts for failing to uphold necessary standards.
Schumer is committed to exploring all potential reforms, stating, “We’re going to look at everything. There are lots of proposals.”
