Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has reintroduced a constitutional amendment to cap the number of U.S. Supreme Court justices at nine, seeking to block any future efforts to expand the court. The proposed amendment aims to protect judicial independence by preventing the ruling party from adding justices to shift the court’s ideological balance.
This move comes as some progressive lawmakers continue to advocate for expanding the Supreme Court, arguing that additional justices are needed to counteract its current conservative majority.
The Supreme Court has had nine justices since 1869, and Cruz warns that any attempt to increase that number would be a partisan power grab. He argues that court-packing would undermine the integrity of the judiciary and set a dangerous precedent where each new administration could manipulate the court’s composition for political gain. His amendment, if passed, would require future Congresses to uphold the nine-justice standard, ensuring long-term stability in the judicial system.
Cruz has been vocal about the need for this amendment since 2021, when some Democratic lawmakers introduced legislation to expand the court. While the amendment faces significant hurdles in Congress, it highlights the growing divide over the Supreme Court’s role in American politics.
Supporters of the amendment see it as a safeguard against judicial overreach, while opponents believe it limits necessary reforms. The reintroduction of this measure underscores the ongoing battle over the judiciary’s future and the broader struggle for control over the nation’s legal landscape.
Cruz’s proposal would need a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate, as well as ratification by three-fourths of the states, making its passage highly challenging. Despite the obstacles, the amendment serves as a strong message against future attempts to alter the structure of the Supreme Court for political advantage.
