Hoosier State Today

U.S. Senators Todd Young from Indiana and Ted Cruz from Texas have introduced a constitutional amendment aimed at maintaining the number of Supreme Court justices at nine. This proposal, if passed by Congress, will proceed to the states for ratification.

Senator Young stated, "Though there is less talk about court packing these days from Democrats, adding to the Supreme Court remains a bad idea. I am again supporting this legislation to protect the constitutional credibility of the Supreme Court."

Senator Cruz expressed concerns over potential plans by Democrats to increase the number of justices on the court. He remarked, "For years, Democrats have openly said they intend to pack the Supreme Court. They seek to use the Court to advance policy goals they can’t accomplish electorally. Such a move would be a direct assault on the design of our Constitution, which is designed to ensure the Supreme Court remains a non-partisan guardian of the rule of law. This amendment is a badly-needed check on their efforts to undermine the integrity of the Court."

Senator Young has been actively involved in efforts to maintain nine justices in previous congressional sessions, including during the 118th, 117th, and 116th Congresses.

The amendment has garnered support from several co-sponsors including Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.).