Democrats Propose Supreme Court Expansion and Term Limits

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats are considering judicial reform at both the state and federal levels. He stated that everything should be on the table regarding changes to the courts. Rep. Ro Khanna argued on the House floor for term limits for Supreme Court justices and expanding the court from nine to 13 members.

Khanna said the next Democratic administration needs action rather than a commission.

The Virginia Supreme Court rejected a Democratic redistricting plan. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated that the court did not overturn a map but overturned an election.

Democrats have criticized recent Supreme Court decisions, including one upholding the Voting Rights Act in Louisiana. They have also discussed lowering the mandatory retirement age for Virginia Supreme Court justices to replace the current court. The proposals come after multiple court rulings blocked Democratic efforts on redistricting and other policies.

Democrats have raised these ideas following losses in federal and state courts.