The proposals include term limits for the justices and an enforceable code of ethics. But they would need congressional approval, which is a long shot.
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Proposals to change the court are likely to appeal to many of President Biden’s supporters, especially in the wake of a series of decisions by the conservative justices.
President Biden is seriously considering legislative proposals that would dramatically alter the Supreme Court, including imposing term limits and an enforceable code of ethics on the justices, according to a person familiar with the ongoing discussions.
Mr. Biden’s proposals to overhaul the court, which could be unveiled in the coming weeks, would need congressional approval, something that is likely to be a long shot given Republican control of the House and the slim Democratic majority in the Senate.
The president is also considering calling for a constitutional amendment that could limit the broad presidential immunity that the court’s conservative majority backed at the end of its term this year, the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the president’s deliberations have not been made public.
Mr. Biden has called the court’s ruling a “dangerous precedent” that means “that there are virtually no limits on what a president can do.” But an amendment would face even greater challenges, requiring two-thirds votes in Congress or at a convention called for by two-thirds of the states, followed by ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures.
In a virtual meeting over the weekend with members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Mr. Biden said he was considering changes to the court but did not provide any specifics to the lawmakers.
“I’m going to need your help on the Supreme Court, because I’m about to come out,” he said, referring to the proposals under consideration. “I don’t want to prematurely announce it, but I’m about to come out with a major initiative on limiting the court and what we do.”
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Source: nytimes.com
