US President Joe Biden has proposed a significant reform to the United States Supreme Court, aiming to address concerns about extremism and political influence. Speaking at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library in Austin, Texas, on July 29, 2024, Biden outlined his vision for limiting the terms of Supreme Court justices. Currently, justices are appointed for life, but Biden’s proposal suggests an 18-year term limit, with a new justice being appointed every two years.
The president acknowledged the challenges of implementing such a reform, particularly before his term ends on January 20, 2025. He also recognized the unlikely prospect of its adoption if his successor is Donald Trump. Nonetheless, Biden argued that the current system, where judges serve for life, undermines public confidence in the court’s impartiality and allows for long-lasting political influence over its makeup.
Biden’s proposal is grounded in the observation that Republican presidents have appointed more justices than Democratic ones since 2000, despite serving an equal number of terms. He also pointed out that the average tenure of justices has increased significantly—from 16 years before 1970 to 28 years today—largely due to rising life expectancy. The proposed term limits would help ensure a more balanced and periodically refreshed court.
Biden’s stance on Supreme Court reform marks a departure from his previous reluctance to engage with the issue, despite his extensive experience with judicial nominations. His proposal has sparked debate among Democrats, with some advocating for increasing the number of justices as an alternative approach to countering conservative domination.
As the conversation around judicial reform continues, Biden’s proposal serves as a bold statement on the need to protect the Supreme Court’s integrity and maintain public trust in its decisions.
