Sen. Wyden introduces bill to expand Supreme Court, overhaul judicial system

Ray Bogan

A top Senate Democrat introduced a sweeping bill to not only expand the Supreme Court but change its ability to make rulings on acts of Congress. The legislation was brought forward by Senator Ron Wyden, the Chairman of the Finance Committee, who says it will help the court as it faces what he calls a “legitimacy crisis”. 

If passed, the bill would expand the Supreme Court to 15 seats over 12 years. The President would appoint two justices per term over the next three presidential terms. 

It expands the number of circuit courts from 12 to 15 which Wyden says will help with workload issues. 

The bill would also require a 2/3rds supermajority to overturn acts of Congress. 

Wyden’s office said – “This legislation preserves the key role of the courts to provide judicial review and the authority to overturn federal law on a constitutional basis when Congress has made a clear error, while restoring the judicial branch’s appropriate deference to the legislative branch of government on matters of federal law construction.” 

Many of the proposals directly address issues progressives have had with the court over recent years. 

For instance – when President Obama nominated then-Judge Merrick Garland to the high court in March 2016, Republicans refused to hold a hearing and left the seat vacant for the next president. 

Wyden’s bill creates a new rule that automatically places nominations on the Senate calendar if they’re not reported out of committee within 180 days. 

Democrats wanted Justice Clarence Thomas to recuse himself from multiple cases, including Trump v. Anderson which addressed Donald Trump’s eligibility to remain on the Presidential ballot. 

Wyden’s bill would allow a justice to be recused from a case with a vote of two-thirds of the justices. 

Democrats also wanted the DOJ to investigate Justice Thomas for possible ethics and tax law violations after it was revealed he did not disclose luxury trips he received as a gift. 

Wyden’s bill would require the IRS to audit each justice’s income tax return and publicly release both the returns and the audit’s findings.  

Wyden said in a statement – “The Supreme Court is in crisis and bold solutions are necessary to restore the public trust.” “More transparency, more accountability and more checks on a power hungry Supreme Court are just what the American people are asking for.”

Republicans have opposed Democrats’ efforts to reform the court. 

Senator Mitch McConnell once wrote that President Biden’s Supreme Court reform proposal was, “merely an extension of this liberal frustration at an independent judiciary that follows the Constitution and applies the laws as written.”  . 

To get this bill approved, Democrats would need the House, White House and a strong majority in the Senate. 

I’m Ray Bogan for Straight Arrow News, for more reporting from our nation’s capital, download the straight arrow news app and turn on notifications.