Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide for term limits for justices of the Supreme Court.

119th Congress Introduced by Dan Goldman and 2 co-sponsors

Proposes an 18-year fixed term for all Supreme Court justices, ending current designs of lifetime tenure.

Introduced in House

Overview

bill: H.J.Res.174 (Joint Resolution)

session: 119th Congress, 2026

introduced: May 4, 2026

sponsor: Rep. Johnny Olszewski (with cosponsors Dan Goldman, Kweisi Mfume)

status: referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary

purpose: Proposed constitutional amendment to impose term limits on Supreme Court justices

Main purpose and intent

The resolution seeks to amend the U.S. Constitution to establish an 18-year fixed term for every Supreme Court justice.

It would apply to all current and future justices. For sitting justices at the time of ratification, if their current tenure already reaches 18 years or more, that term would be terminated upon ratification; the Chief Justice vacancy would be filled in accordance with existing law.

Key provisions and changes

Article proposed: A new constitutional amendment.

Core provision: “The tenure in office of a justice of the Supreme Court may not exceed 18 years.”

Application to current justices:

If a current justice has already served 18 or more years by the time of ratification, their term would end at that point.
If the currently serving Chief Justice is affected, the Chief Justice seat would be filled under existing law once the 18-year term for that justice expires or is terminated by ratification (as applicable).

Effect on future justices:

Each future associate justice and the Chief Justice would serve a maximum of 18 years in office, regardless of appointment date.

No specified transition plan beyond termination at 18 years; the bill text indicates termination of the term once the 18-year limit is reached and replacement processes follow current law.

Who/what would be affected

Affected individuals:

All sitting Supreme Court justices (as of ratification) for eligibility/termination based on the 18-year cap.
All future Supreme Court justices, including the Chief Justice, who would be subject to an 18-year tenure limit.

Institutions affected:

Supreme Court of the United States.
The executive and legislative branches, which would manage appointments and replacements in line with the 18-year limit.

Replacement dynamics:

Terminations and replacements would occur per existing law and procedures for filling Supreme Court vacancies (e.g., nomination by the President and confirmation by the Senate).

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction date: May 4, 2026.

Referral: House Committee on the Judiciary.

Ratification path: The amendment would require passage by two-thirds of both House and Senate and ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures, per the constitutional amendment process.

Immediate effect upon ratification: For those already serving with 18+ years, their terms would terminate at ratification; otherwise, new 18-year limits would apply to future appointments.

Potential implications (high-level)

Establishes a predictable, finite tenure for Supreme Court justices (18 years) rather than lifetime tenure.

Could alter the dynamics of judicial independence, appointment timing, and confirmation politics, as replacements would occur more regularly.

May influence the strategy of presidents and Senate regarding vacancies and nominations.

The exact practical impact would depend on transition rules and potential interim arrangements as sitting justices’ terms conclude.

If you’d like, I can add a comparative note outlining how an 18-year term might compare with other term-limit models or with the current lifetime tenure approach.