Proposal for 18-Year SCOTUS Term Limits Advances

Senators Joe Manchin and Peter Welch have proposed a constitutional amendment to impose 18-year term limits on future Supreme Court justices, starting a new term every two years. This initiative seeks to address the perceived flaws in the current lifetime appointment structure, which Manchin argues promotes political polarisation and undermines public trust in the judiciary. The amendment would not affect current justices but aims to create regular vacancies and maintain the Supreme Court's composition at nine justices. Manchin, who is retiring soon, emphasizes that the reform is necessary to restore public confidence in the court. The amendment requires a supermajority in Congress and ratification by three-quarters of the states, highlighting the challenging path ahead for its adoption. Welch supports the proposal as a means to reduce political gamesmanship and believes it aligns with the views of the majority of Americans.