FILE - In this June 24, 2019 file photo, the empty courtroom is seen at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington. Because of the coronavirus pandemic the Supreme Court is holding arguments by phone for the first time in its 230-year history. Attorneys say the teleconference arguments in 10 cases over six days present a range of challenges. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
SALT LAKE CITY — Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, has joined a group of 11 senators reintroducing a constitutional amendment that would limit the number of justices serving on the Supreme Court to nine.
The amendment was originally introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) in 2019.
“Packing the Supreme Court is a radical, left-wing idea that would further undermine America’s confidence in our institutions and our democracy,” Rubio said. “As a candidate, President Joe Biden promised to unify America, and even said he was ‘not a fan’ of packing the Supreme Court, a radical proposal he once referred to as a ‘bonehead idea’ when he served in the Senate. If he is sincere about healing our country and protecting our institutions, he will support this effort to protect the Supreme Court.”
“It remains imperative that we continue to resist efforts to pack the Supreme Court and treat it as if it is one of the elected branches of government,” Romney said. “Our society is only as strong as its institutions, and I hope my colleagues will join us in our effort to ensure the integrity and independence of the Supreme Court.”
The Constitution does not specify how many justices should serve on the Supreme Court. Its number changed at least six times since our nation’s founding before settling at nine seats in 1869.
Romney and Rubio are joined by Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Todd Young (R-IN), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Rob Portman (R-OH), and John Cornyn (R-TX) who are also cosponsoring the legislation.