Key Democrats Split Over Expanding Supreme Court, While Some Call the Court ‘Illegitimate’ – Opinion

After the overturn decision Roe V. Wadeexchange it with the states. Senate Democrats have been intensifying discussions on expanding the Supreme Court.

Progressive Democrats are in favor of expanding the Supreme Court, as some claim the court is “illegitimate,” while the vulnerable Democrats who are up for reelection are keeping their distance. Democrats concede that they don’t have enough votes to extend the Supreme Court and to put term limits on judges. They are optimistic that voters will support them to end the filibuster after recent rulings from the court. However, 54% of Americans surveyed by NPR-PBS News Marist said that they don’t want the court to be expanded to add more justices.

It’s a slippery slope. And if Democrats abolish the filibuster and pack the courtrooms, Republicans will also attempt to pack them. Next thing we know, the Supreme Court will have dozens more justices. This defeats its purpose.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, D-RI), stated:

“I think it’s becoming increasingly clear that having a Supreme Court that does not follow the ethics code of every other judge and that has weaker ethics and reporting requirements than all other equivalent federal officials in the legislative and executive branches is not a sustainable position.”

The filibuster was called out by Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren. Markey stated the following at a Boston event:

“We need to repeal the filibuster so that we can expand the Supreme Court to reclaim the two stolen seats on a now illegitimate court, which are stealing the rights of American people.”

Arizona Senator Mark Kelly opposes expanding the court system. Kelly stated:

“You’d have to talk about specific details, but I have not been in favor of expanding the size of the court.”

Senator Warnock stated that he is focused to bring down inflation.

“Right now, I’m focused on lowering costs for Georgians who are pushing their way back and want to see us cap the cost of insulin, which is a bill we need to get done.”

Jon Tester, a moderate senator from Montana (D-MT), stated in May that he opposes abolishing the filibuster as well expanding the court system. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D–NH) stated she did not support expanding court.

Thus far, only Elizabeth Warren and Tina Smith (D-MN) have co-sponsored Markey’s bill to expand the Supreme Court from nine to 13 justices.

There is no doubt that more progressives will be elected to the Senate. They will work tirelessly to increase the Supreme Court’s size.