West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin (I) and Vermont Sen. Peter Welch (D) have introduced a resolution to impose 18-year term limits on Supreme Court justices, which would require some turnover on the high court every two years.
Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) have introduced a bill aimed at imposing term limits on Supreme Court justices. The proposed legislation would limit justices to an 18-year term, after which they would transition to "senior status," allowing them to continue hearing cases in lower courts or fill in for recused justices. This move is intended to address concerns about the lifetime tenure of Supreme Court justices, which critics argue can lead to justices serving well into their old age or becoming less active, potentially skewing the court's balance. The bill also seeks to promote a more regular and predictable appointment process, reducing the impact of judicial vacancies and the politicization of the confirmation process. However, the proposal faces significant hurdles, including constitutional questions about altering the lifetime appointment clause for justices and the need for a constitutional amendment or a reinterpretation of existing law.
