Democratic leaders push for a 13‑seat Supreme Court as Republicans move to lock the bench at nine
House Minority Whip Jim Clyburn and other Democratic lawmakers have voiced support for expanding the Supreme Court to 13 justices, with Rep. Hank Johnson and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez also advocating the change. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries described the Court as operating like a "subsidiary of MAGA extremists," and Rep. Wesley Bell called for term limits for justices. Senate Democrats, including Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Rep. Jamie Raskin, said they would pursue investigations, an ethics program and retroactive 18‑year term limits if they regain control of the Senate. Meanwhile, Republican Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the House will schedule a vote on a constitutional amendment to cap the Court at nine justices.
How this was covered
- Left-leaning outlets covered this 19h later
- The two sides describe this in almost entirely different words
Why it matters
The outcome will determine whether the nation’s highest court can be reshaped, affecting the balance of judicial power and future legal decisions.
How this story developed
- Aug 27 Rep. Jake Auchincloss Discusses Congressional Reform and Supreme Court Changes
- Aug 30 A climate researcher introduced a Supreme Court‑expansion litmus test for Senate Democrats.
- Sep 1 Jim Clyburn publicly advocated expanding the Supreme Court to 13 justices.
- Sep 2 Speaker Mike Johnson announced a House vote on a constitutional amendment to limit the Supreme Court to nine justices.
