Congress Debates Supreme Court Reform Amidst Public Disapproval and Calls for Ethics Changes
Congress is currently debating various proposals for Supreme Court reform, driven by declining public approval and concerns over the judiciary's political impartiality. Surveys indicate that only 39% of Americans hold a favorable opinion of the Supreme Court, with 56% believing justices do a fair-to-poor job of keeping politics out of their decisions. Key reform proposals include enforcing a strict ethics code for justices, which enjoys overwhelming support (89%), and implementing fixed terms for justices instead of lifetime appointments, favored by 79%. A more contentious proposal is increasing the number of justices on the court, supported by 53% and opposed by 47%. Historically, Congress has altered the number of justices multiple times, with the current number of nine established in 1869. Some lawmakers, like Sixth District Congressman Ben Cline, oppose these reforms, arguing that the current structure is 'enshrined,' despite historical precedents of changes.
