Democrats want to take over the Supreme Court by any means necessary.
Recently, Vice President Kamala Harris has shown support for a radical reform that would overhaul the Supreme Court by introducing a new justice every two years. This ambitious proposal comes from Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, who disclosed last week that while the Harris campaign hasn’t officially endorsed his bill, they have indicated that their goals align closely with the proposed legislation.
Senator Whitehouse’s bill aims to “regularize” Supreme Court appointments, meaning that every two years, the President would appoint a new justice to the Court. Under this plan, only the nine most recently appointed justices would handle major appellate cases—those with significant impact, such as high-profile rulings and cases involving national issues. Justices appointed more recently would serve on these high-stakes cases for an 18-year term before transitioning to cases of “original jurisdiction,” such as disputes between states.
This legislative proposal, which was introduced last October, envisions a major shakeup in the way the Supreme Court operates. Although President Biden and Vice President Harris have publicly endorsed the idea of a revamped Court with a new justice every two years, the specifics of how this would be implemented—whether through congressional legislation, a constitutional amendment, or executive action—remain unclear.
Adding to the intrigue, Whitehouse has hinted that if Democrats secure a controlling majority in the upcoming elections, they are likely to push through this and other significant reforms, bypassing the filibuster to do so. According to Whitehouse, this could include measures like permanent protections for reproductive rights, restoring voting rights, eliminating corrupting billionaire dark money, and significant Supreme Court reform.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has also confirmed that eliminating the Senate’s traditional three-fifths majority requirement for passing legislation is a top priority for him if Democrats gain control of both the House and the Senate. Schumer’s comments came amid a backdrop of shifting Senate dynamics, with independent Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin set to leave the Senate next year, potentially easing the path for such dramatic legislative changes.
