Rep. Hank Johnson Pushes for Supreme Court Term Limits to Combat Rot and Decay

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Written By Richard Perdomo

Georgia Democrat Rep. Hank Johnson is advocating for Supreme Court reforms, including term limits for justices, which he believes are essential to combat what he describes as long-term rot and decay on the current court.

In an interview, Johnson emphasized that the lifetime tenure of justices has led to a lack of accountability, allowing them to act unchecked, potentially influenced by corporate interests. He argued that term limits would prevent such issues from persisting in the future.

Johnson, a ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, has co-sponsored several reform bills, including the Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization Act TERM, which proposes 18-year term limits for justices.

Additionally, Johnson, along with other prominent Democrats, reintroduced the Judiciary Act of 2023, seeking to expand the Supreme Court from nine to thirteen justices, addressing concerns about the current conservative supermajority.

President Biden has also signaled support for reforms, including term limits, as part of an effort to restore public trust in the court. Vice President Kamala Harris echoed these concerns, noting a crisis of confidence in the institution.

Johnson acknowledged the challenges of passing such reforms, including potential resistance from the Senate, where filibuster rules could hinder progress. Nevertheless, he remains hopeful for future discussions, particularly if Harris ascends to the presidency.

 

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