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Limiting Supreme Court composition to nine justices

This proposed constitutional amendment aims to permanently cap the number of Supreme Court justices at nine. If ratified, citizens will benefit from certainty regarding the structure of the highest judicial body, potentially increasing the stability and predictability of rulings affecting their rights and duties. This limit prevents future attempts by Congress or the President to expand the Court for political reasons.
Key points
Requires the Supreme Court to be composed of not more than nine justices, codifying the current practice into the Constitution.
If ratified by three-fourths of the states, this change becomes a permanent part of the Constitution, shielding the Court from political attempts to alter its size.
Congress retains the power to enforce this limit through appropriate legislation.
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Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_HJRES_81
Sponsor: Rep. Gallagher, Mike [R-WI-8]
Process start date: 2023-07-11
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Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that the Supreme Court be composed of not more than nine justices.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_HJRES_81.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2023-07-11.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Requires the Supreme Court to be composed of not more than nine justices, codifying the current practice into the Constitution.
  • If ratified by three-fourths of the states, this change becomes a permanent part of the Constitution, shielding the Court from political attempts to alter its size.
  • Congress retains the power to enforce this limit through appropriate legislation.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Gallagher, Mike [R-WI-8].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-30.

CATEGORIES

Courts and Law