House to Vote on Fixing Supreme Court Size at Nine

The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote this week on H.J. Res. 1, a proposed constitutional amendment that would permanently fix the size of the Supreme Court at nine justices. Introduced by Representative Andy Biggs, the measure aims to move the court's size from statutory law, which can be changed by a simple majority, into the Constitution, where modifications would require a new amendment.

Republicans, led by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, argue the resolution protects the judiciary from being politicized or packed by the left. The move follows proposals from some Democrats, including Representative Al Green, who suggested expanding the court to 13 justices.

House Democrats have dismissed the effort. House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar characterized the resolution as a show vote timed for the midterm elections, while Representative Jamie Raskin argued the measure is an attempt by Congress to permanently relinquish its constitutional authority. To become law, the amendment must pass both the House and Senate by a two-thirds majority and be ratified by three-fourths of the states.