Proposed amendment would lock Supreme Court at nine justices
In committeeH.J.Res. 28Latest action
Sponsor: Dusty Johnson · Representative · SD
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that the Supreme Court of the United States be composed of nine justices.
119th Congress
Topics: Crime & justice
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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A proposed constitutional amendment would permanently set the Supreme Court's size at nine justices.
40-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment fixing the number of Supreme Court justices at nine. Currently that number is set by federal law, which Congress can change with a ; the amendment would require another constitutional amendment to change it in the future.
Who does it affect?
This affects the entire country, since it concerns the structure of the highest federal court. It is relevant amid debates over whether Congress should be able to change the Court's size, sometimes called "court packing."
Why does it matter?
Fixing the number would remove Congress's current ability to change the Court's size through ordinary legislation, limiting future options for altering the judiciary's structure without another amendment. Passing it requires a in both chambers and ratification by 38 of 50 states within seven years, a far higher bar than regular legislation.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJan 22, 2025
- House committeeYou are here · Jan 22, 2025
- House vote
- Senate
- Sent to the states
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House. Both chambers have to pass the same text, each by two thirds. A proposed constitutional amendment never goes to the president: it goes to the states, and three quarters of them have to ratify it before it takes effect.
Latest action: — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.