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Jimmy Williams
President Joe Biden has announced a significant proposal aimed at reforming the U.S. Supreme Court, calling on Congress to implement term limits and an enforceable ethics code for the justices. Additionally, he is urging lawmakers to ratify a constitutional amendment to limit presidential immunity.
The White House provided details of Biden’s proposal on Monday, just 99 days before the upcoming Election Day, acknowledging that it faces an uphill battle in a closely divided Congress. Despite the slim chances of approval, Democrats hope the proposal will galvanize voters in the tight election.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic nominee, has framed her campaign as a battle between “freedom and chaos,” highlighting the importance of court reforms in restoring public confidence in the judiciary. This comes in the wake of recent controversial Supreme Court decisions and concerns about justices’ ethical conduct.
Key Elements of Biden’s Proposal:
1. Term Limits for Justices: Biden proposes ending lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court, suggesting a system where the sitting president appoints a justice every two years for an 18-year term. This would introduce regular changes to the court’s composition and predictability to the nomination process.
2. Enforceable Ethics Code: Biden wants Congress to establish a code of ethics requiring justices to disclose gifts, avoid public political activity, and recuse themselves from cases with conflicts of interest. An enforcement mechanism, possibly involving a committee of respected judges, is also suggested.
3. Constitutional Amendment on Presidential Immunity: Biden is calling for an amendment to reverse a recent Supreme Court ruling granting former presidents broad immunity from prosecution.
Biden’s proposal aims to address concerns about the court’s impartiality and the influence of long-standing judicial appointments on contemporary issues. He argues that a reformed Supreme Court would better reflect current American values and maintain public trust.
Public and Political Reactions:
– Support from Democrats: Many liberals and Democratic leaders have expressed support for the proposal, citing recent ethics scandals and decisions overturning long-standing precedents as evidence of the need for reform.
– Criticism from Republicans: Former President Donald Trump and other Republicans have criticized the proposal, framing it as an attempt by Democrats to manipulate the judiciary for political gain.
The proposal comes as Biden’s administration seeks to highlight the importance of judicial integrity and public confidence in the lead-up to the November election. Biden is expected to elaborate on his proposal during a speech at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas, marking the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.
