Sens. Joe Manchin (I-WV) and Peter Welch (D-VT) have introduced a constitutional amendment that would impose term limits on future Supreme Court justices. The proposed amendment would place 18-year term limits, with new terms beginning every two years. BREAKING: Democratic Senator Joe Manchin has introduced a bill proposing 18-year term limits for Supreme Court Justices. Would you support this? pic.twitter.com/wRXQ0DbA2G — Jesse Morgan (@Jesse_Morgan_) December 9, 2024 “The current lifetime appointment structure is broken and fuels polarizing confirmation battles and political posturing that has eroded public confidence in the highest court in our land,” Manchin said in a statement, according to The Hill. “Our amendment maintains that there shall never be more than nine Justices and would gradually create regular vacancies on the Court, allowing the President to appoint a new Justice every two years with the advice and consent of the United States Senate,” he added. Outgoing Sen. Joe Manchin pushes constitutional amendment for Supreme Court term limits https://t.co/JTTNfy1HK2 pic.twitter.com/OqWSlAo6Fg — New York Post (@nypost) December 10, 2024 The Hill reports: Welch, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the measure is intended “to restore public trust in our nation’s most powerful court.” “Setting term limits for Supreme Court Justices will cut down on political gamesmanship, and is commonsense reform supported by a majority of Americans,” he said. The proposed amendment would not alter the tenure of sitting justices, who would continue to serve as long as they desire or until incapacitation. It would implement a transition period during which 18-year terms would begin every two years regardless of when a current justice leaves the bench, according to an explanation issued by the senators’ offices. When a current justice retires, the newly appointed justice would serve out the remainder of the next 18-year term. Outgoing Sen. Joe Manchin pushes constitutional amendment for Supreme Court term limits https://t.co/5qsxYQIbva — Fox News (@FoxNews) December 10, 2024 Per Fox News: The proposed amendment stipulates that the high court should be comprised of nine justices, a figure which is not currently enshrined in the Constitution. “The Judiciary Act of 1869 fixed the number of Justices at nine and no subsequent change to the number of Justices has occurred,” according to the Supreme Court’s website.