Schumer unsure about Senate support for Biden’s plan to change the Supreme Court
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed his support for President Biden’s proposal to overhaul the Supreme Court but stopped short of committing to bringing the components to a vote on the Senate floor. Schumer commended Biden for addressing the recent Supreme Court immunity ruling, stating that Congress should explore the idea through legislation.
One key aspect of Biden’s plan is an amendment to the Constitution that would clarify that former presidents are not immune from criminal prosecution for actions taken while in office. Schumer mentioned the possibility of drafting legislation that emphasizes the President’s accountability under federal law.
While Democrats have critiqued the Supreme Court in the past, the road to amending the Constitution is challenging, with only 27 amendments approved since the document’s inception. The current evenly divided Congress and lack of Democratic trifectas in state governments further complicate the process.
Biden’s proposal includes term limits for Supreme Court justices, an enforceable ethics code, and a constitutional amendment eliminating immunity for former presidents against criminal prosecution. However, the likelihood of these proposals succeeding in a House or Senate vote, as well as state ratification, is slim.
House Speaker Mike Johnson declared Biden’s plan dead on arrival in the House, indicating that it would not receive consideration in the lower chamber. This stance significantly diminishes the proposal’s chances of becoming law.
In conclusion, while Schumer supports Biden’s efforts to reform the Supreme Court, the challenges of passing such sweeping changes through Congress and state ratification processes present formidable obstacles to turning these proposals into reality.
