President Joe Biden unveiled a set of proposals for reforming the Supreme Court on July 29. These reforms, supported by Vice President Kamala Harris, are expected to intensify the debate surrounding the 2024 presidential election. The White House stated that the reforms aim to address the crisis of confidence in America’s democratic institutions and restore trust and accountability.
One of the key proposals is a constitutional amendment to clarify that presidents are not immune from criminal prosecution. Additionally, President Biden is advocating for term limits for Supreme Court justices, suggesting 18 years of active service. The President’s proposals also include enforcing conduct and ethics rules for Justices.
However, the likelihood of these proposals being enacted is uncertain given the current political landscape and potential legal challenges. House Speaker Mike Johnson has already indicated that the reforms will not be considered for a vote in the House. If President Biden manages to secure a supermajority in Congress, the amendments would still need to undergo a lengthy ratification process, which historically has taken years or even centuries to complete. The Bill of Rights, encompassing the initial 10 amendments to the Constitution, underwent a ratification process lasting over two years.
The president’s remarks suggested that his proposed code of conduct would be established through legislation, necessitating the typical majority support in both the House and Senate, barring any filibustering attempts by senators.
Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor, commended the president’s suggestions but expressed skepticism about their feasibility in the current political climate. Rahmani, who also serves on the UCLA Political Science Board of Advisers, conveyed via text message to The Epoch Times that while Biden’s proposals are commendable in theory, they are unlikely to gain traction practically. He added, “Politically, they are dead in the water, especially with an unpopular lame-duck president in an election year.” Rahmani also noted that the likelihood of a constitutional amendment is even slimmer given today’s polarized political environment, despite the general consensus that presidents should be held accountable.
President Biden’s announcement, coupled with Vice President Harris’s support, indicates a Democratic emphasis on the court as a campaign focal point leading up to the upcoming elections in November.
The proposed reforms come on the heels of several contentious rulings by a predominantly conservative Supreme Court, including decisions overturning longstanding doctrines like the Chevron rule and addressing issues of presidential immunity. The court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade has also drawn significant attention and criticism from the Biden administration and Democrats.
Efforts to codify abortion rights at the federal level and prevent restrictions on access to abortion pills have been initiated by congressional Democrats in response to the court’s recent rulings.
Lawmakers’ reactions suggest that President Biden’s reform proposals are unlikely to pass in the current Congress or in a scenario where Republicans hold power. Congressional Democrats have welcomed the proposals and reiterated their calls for reform, with Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin and House Oversight Ranking Member Jamie Raskin expressing support for the president’s initiatives.
The release of a code of ethics by the Supreme Court in 2023 faced scrutiny for lacking an enforcement mechanism, prompting suggestions for potential enforcement methods from within the court.
The prospect of a fully developed ethics bill facing legal challenges, particularly from justices who have expressed opposition to such regulation, remains a significant concern. The complexity of drafting constitutional amendments on issues like term limits and presidential immunity further complicates the reform process, with questions arising about reconciling proposed amendments with existing constitutional provisions and court precedents.
In conclusion, the road to implementing substantial reforms to the Supreme Court and addressing ethical concerns is fraught with challenges and uncertainties, highlighting the complexities of navigating legal and political landscapes in pursuit of judicial accountability and transparency. Can you please rephrase this sentence? Please rewrite this sentence for me.
Source link
