A concurrent resolution urging the members of the Congress of the United States to propose an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that the Supreme Court of the United States be composed of nine justices.
Impact
Should SCR2 lead to congressional action and subsequently to a successful amendment, it would enshrine the number of Supreme Court justices at nine within the Constitution itself. This could have profound implications on the judicial appointment process and the potential for judicial expansion or contraction in the future. By making the number of justices a constitutional requirement, it could reduce the opportunity for future legislative efforts aimed at altering the Court's size for political expediency.
Summary
Senate Concurrent Resolution 2 (SCR2) is a proposed resolution urging the United States Congress to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would require the Supreme Court to consist of nine justices. This initiative highlights concerns regarding the structure and composition of the Court, which has been fixed at nine justices since 1869. The resolution asserts that this number should be constitutionally mandated in order to establish a stable judicial framework for the country.
Contention
Point of contention arises from the ongoing debates surrounding the legitimacy and functionality of the Supreme Court. Some advocates of SCR2 argue that a fixed number of justices would enhance the integrity of the Court and prevent politically motivated changes to its composition. Critics may counter that such a move risks entrenching the current balance of power and could hinder necessary reforms aimed at diversifying or expanding the Court's perspectives. The discussion around this resolution emphasizes the tension between stability and flexibility in the judicial system.