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SJRES 16

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that the Supreme Court of the United States be composed of nine justices.

119th Congress Introduced by Jim Banks and 22 co-sponsors

SJRES 16 seeks to amend the Constitution to ensure the Supreme Court remains at nine justices, protecting its structure from political changes in the future.

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SJRES 16

Summary of SJRES 16

Bill Number: SJRES 16
Title: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that the Supreme Court of the United States be composed of nine justices.
Status: Introduced in Senate
Introduced Date: February 06, 2025
Classification: Resolution

Purpose and Intent

SJRES 16 aims to amend the United States Constitution to establish that the Supreme Court shall consist of nine justices. This resolution seeks to formalize the current composition of the Court, which has traditionally been set at nine justices since 1869. The intent behind this amendment is to prevent any future changes to the number of justices, which could be influenced by political considerations.

Key Provisions

  • Amendment Proposal: The resolution proposes the following article as an amendment to the Constitution:

    "The Supreme Court of the United States shall be composed of nine justices."

  • Ratification Process: The amendment would become valid as part of the Constitution once ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states within seven years of its submission for ratification.

Affected Parties

  • Supreme Court Justices: The amendment directly impacts the structure of the Supreme Court, ensuring that it remains at nine justices.
  • State Legislatures: The resolution requires the involvement of state legislatures for ratification, thereby engaging them in the constitutional amendment process.
  • Legal and Judicial Community: The amendment could influence the operations and decisions of the Supreme Court, affecting legal precedents and interpretations of law.

Legislative Actions

  • February 06, 2025: The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary for further consideration.
  • Introduced in Senate: The resolution was officially introduced in the Senate on the same date.

Related Bills

  • HJRES 1: A companion resolution that may address similar issues regarding the composition of the Supreme Court.
  • HJRES 28: Another companion resolution that could provide additional context or proposals related to the Supreme Court's structure.

Conclusion

SJRES 16 represents a significant legislative effort to enshrine the number of Supreme Court justices in the Constitution, aiming to safeguard against potential fluctuations in the Court's composition due to political pressures. If ratified, this amendment would solidify the current structure of the Supreme Court for future generations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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