Texas Senate Bill SJR37

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Applying to the Congress of the United States to call a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution for the limited purpose of proposing an amendment to the constitution to impose term limits for justices of the United States Supreme Court and to allow the states to overturn a decision of the United States Supreme Court.

Impact

If successfully adopted, SJR37 could profoundly change how the judicial branch operates concerning its highest court. Imposing term limits would ensure that justices cannot serve for life, thus introducing regular opportunities for legislative oversight through new appointments. Additionally, empowering states to overturn Supreme Court decisions might lead to a significant imbalance in the federal judicial system, potentially undermining the court's authority and altering the relationship between state and federal governance.

Summary

SJR37 is a joint resolution that applies to the Congress of the United States, requesting the call of a convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The resolution aims to propose an amendment that would impose term limits for justices of the Supreme Court and grant states the authority to overturn Supreme Court decisions. This initiative reflects a growing sentiment among certain political factions that the Supreme Court's power should be curtailed and controlled more directly by state legislatures.

Contention

The proposal is likely to generate considerable debate and potential opposition. Critics might argue that such measures could destabilize the judiciary and lead to political interference in judicial matters, undermining the independence that is crucial for the rule of law. On the other hand, supporters may contend that term limits are necessary for modernizing the court and ensuring that it does not become out of touch with contemporary societal values and issues. The proposal's success hinges on garnering sufficient support from other states to reach the two-thirds threshold required for a convention to be called.