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House Democrats Vote Against Amendment to Permanently Fix Supreme Court at Nine Justices

House Democrats Vote Against Amendment to Permanently Fix Supreme Court at Nine Justices

House Democrats recently voted down a proposed constitutional amendment that aimed to permanently set the number of Supreme Court justices at nine. The vote, which failed to reach the two-thirds majority required for a constitutional amendment, was 212-206, with nearly all House Democrats opposing the measure. House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) urged her caucus to vote 'no,' arguing that the amendment would strip Congress of its constitutional authority to determine the size of the Supreme Court. She also stated that focusing on this issue would divert attention from other pressing matters, such as affordability. The size of the Supreme Court has been nine justices since 1869, but the Constitution does not specify this number, leaving it to Congress to decide. Historically, the court's size has changed several times since its initial establishment with six justices in 1789.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson Proposes Constitutional Amendment to Cap Supreme Court at Nine Justices

House Speaker Mike Johnson Proposes Constitutional Amendment to Cap Supreme Court at Nine Justices

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced his intention to bring a constitutional amendment to the House floor that would permanently cap the number of Supreme Court justices at nine. This proposal is a direct response to recent calls from some Democratic lawmakers to expand the size of the Supreme Court. Speaker Johnson stated that the measure aims to prevent efforts to 'pack the U.S. Supreme Court,' a concept that has gained traction among certain Democrats. The announcement follows public comments from figures like former Vice President Kamala Harris and Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., who have suggested expanding the court to 13 justices. Passing a constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds supermajority vote in both the House and Senate, followed by ratification from three-fourths of the states. Democratic leadership in the House has dismissed Johnson's proposal as a 'show vote,' with House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., indicating that constituents are more focused on economic con...
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President Trump's Administration and Allies Pursue Limitations on Birthright Citizenship in U.S. Territories

President Trump's Administration and Allies Pursue Limitations on Birthright Citizenship in U.S. Territories

Following a Supreme Court reaffirmation of birthright citizenship in June, the Trump administration and its allies have initiated efforts to limit birthright citizenship in U.S. territories. Roger Severino of the Heritage Foundation suggested President Trump amend an Executive Order to apply to U.S. Territories, arguing they are not automatically bound by the 14th Amendment. Fox News host Laura Ingraham discussed this with Vice President JD Vance, who supported the idea. Subsequently, a member of the Congressional Freedom Caucus introduced the End Birthright Citizenship for Territories Act, which aims to deny citizenship to individuals born in U.S. territories from January 1, 2027, onward. President Trump then issued an Executive Order in August purporting to limit birthright citizenship in territories where citizenship is not conferred by federal statute. A report by Americans Advancing Freedom and the Edwin Meese III Institute further supported Congress's ability to limit U.S. citizenship for those born ...
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Representative Brian Jack Joins House Coalition in Pro-AR-15 Amicus Brief to Supreme Court

Representative Brian Jack Joins House Coalition in Pro-AR-15 Amicus Brief to Supreme Court

Representative Brian Jack (GA-03) is part of a coalition of House Republicans, led by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R), that has filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court of the United States to declare bans on AR-15s and similar rifles unconstitutional. This brief comes as the Supreme Court has agreed to hear two consolidated cases, Grant v. Higgins and Viramontes v. Cook County, which challenge lower court rulings upholding such firearm bans. The cases specifically address whether AR-15 ownership is protected under the Second and Fourteenth Amendments. The Republican coalition argues that the Second Amendment clearly protects the right to own semi-automatic rifles, including AR-15s, which are widely used by law-abiding Americans. The brief references historical documents such as the Federalist Papers, the Militia Acts of 1792 and 1903, and commentaries from William Blackstone, alongside Supreme Court precedents like Miller (1939) and Heller (2008), to support their position that military small arms in common u...
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Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Expected to Resign Amid Clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Expected to Resign Amid Clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Secretary of the Army, Dan Driscoll, is anticipated to resign from his position. This expected departure follows repeated disagreements and clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The points of contention between the two officials reportedly include the ongoing war in Iran, the overall direction of the military, and broader national security strategies. This development comes as construction continues at the White House, specifically on a massive ballroom, after the Supreme Court granted President Trump permission to proceed without congressional approval. The resignation of a high-ranking military official due to policy disputes with a cabinet secretary signals potential internal discord within the administration regarding defense and foreign policy.
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Democrats sink Republican bid to cap Supreme Court at nine justices

Democrats sink Republican bid to cap Supreme Court at nine justices

By Nate Raymond and Richard Cowan WASHINGTON, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Democrats in the U.S.
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Senator Susan Collins Endorses Ketanji Brown Jackson for Supreme Court, Highlighting Bipartisan Support

Senator Susan Collins Endorses Ketanji Brown Jackson for Supreme Court, Highlighting Bipartisan Support

Senator Susan Collins, a Republican, has publicly endorsed Ketanji Brown Jackson for the Supreme Court. This endorsement is highlighted by Mary Ann Lynch, a retired lawyer and lifelong Democrat, who is supporting Senator Collins' reelection. Lynch points to Collins' history of bipartisan actions, including her votes against repealing Obamacare and defunding Planned Parenthood, and her role in repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' Collins was also the first Republican senator to endorse Ketanji Brown Jackson, and previously voted to confirm Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor. Her record also includes co-authoring the Respect for Marriage Act with Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin, which was signed into law in December 2022 to protect same-sex and interracial marriages. President Biden credited Collins for her leadership on this legislation.
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NRCC Accuses Congresswoman Emilia Sykes of Supporting Court Packing to Undermine Democracy

NRCC Accuses Congresswoman Emilia Sykes of Supporting Court Packing to Undermine Democracy

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has accused Congresswoman Emilia Sykes and other House Democrats of seeking to 'pack the United States Supreme Court with liberal justices.' According to the NRCC, Sykes's vote against a constitutional amendment that would permanently preserve the Supreme Court at nine justices indicates her support for this action. NRCC Spokesman Zach Bannon stated that this vote makes it clear that if Sykes and 'radical House Democrats' gain power, they would use it to 'fundamentally transform America into an unrecognizable socialist hellscape.' The NRCC views this as an attempt to undermine democracy and advance a 'radical socialist agenda.'
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Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's Judicial Philosophy Debated in Supreme Court Opinion

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's Judicial Philosophy Debated in Supreme Court Opinion

Justice Amy Coney Barrett's opinion in the case of Trump v. CASA has drawn attention to a significant debate regarding judicial authority, particularly in relation to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's approach. Justice Barrett's opinion directly critiqued Justice Jackson, suggesting that Jackson's stance on judicial power was inconsistent. According to Barrett, Jackson was simultaneously criticizing an 'imperial executive' while advocating for an 'imperial judiciary.' This critique emerged in the context of a broader discussion about the extent to which a single federal district judge can suspend a presidential policy nationwide before the issue has been fully adjudicated through the appellate courts and ultimately by the Supreme Court. The case itself, Trump v. CASA, is presented as a pivotal moment for the Supreme Court to address fundamental questions about the authority to govern the United States. The core of the disagreement, as highlighted by Barrett, centers on the appropriate limits and scope of jud...
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Heads or tails? $1 coin with Trump's face and gold finish to go on sale

Heads or tails? $1 coin with Trump's face and gold finish to go on sale

The U.S. Mint will start selling a $1 coin to celebrate America's 250th birthday, featuring President Donald Trump's face on one side
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Supreme Court Faces Scrutiny Over Ethics and Political Influence Amidst Election Concerns

Supreme Court Faces Scrutiny Over Ethics and Political Influence Amidst Election Concerns

The Supreme Court is under increasing scrutiny regarding its ethical practices and perceived political leanings, particularly in the context of upcoming elections. Concerns have been raised about the majority's decisions, especially those issued via the 'shadow docket,' which are unsigned and unexplained, undermining transparency and accountability. Critics argue that these rulings often favor President Trump's agenda, including a recent temporary decision allowing his administration to proceed with actions related to mail balloting, which some view as an attempt to derail the election process. There are also significant ethical questions surrounding individual justices, such as Chief Justice John Roberts, whose wife's financial dealings as a legal recruiter for firms appearing before the high court have come under fire. Roberts reportedly amended his public disclosure after a whistleblower revealed details about his wife's commission deal and his equity in her subsequent employer, information previously o...
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Whistleblower Warns USPS Ballot System Could Cause Major Disruptions to Midterm Elections

Whistleblower Warns USPS Ballot System Could Cause Major Disruptions to Midterm Elections

An anonymous whistleblower has raised concerns regarding the U.S. Postal Service's (USPS) preparedness to implement President Trump’s executive order. This order mandates that the USPS only transmit mail ballots to individuals listed on a federal registry of citizens. The whistleblower suggests that the USPS is currently ill-equipped to handle this directive, potentially leading to significant disruptions in mail-in voting for the upcoming midterm elections. This development comes as the Supreme Court has allowed President Trump's mail-in ballot order to take effect, adding urgency to the concerns about the USPS's capacity. The potential for widespread issues in mail-in voting could impact the integrity and efficiency of the electoral process, particularly given the increasing reliance on mail ballots in recent elections.