Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is gearing up for a significant federal overhaul if Democrats secure victory in the upcoming elections.
Schumer’s proposals range from imposing ethical standards on justices and curbing strategic forum shopping to reversing key Supreme Court rulings on abortion and presidential immunity.
This ambitious agenda has drawn sharp criticism from conservatives who see it as a direct attack on judicial independence.
Schumer, in a recent interview before the Senate adjourned for a five-week summer recess, emphasized the urgency of court reforms.
“It’s a very big priority,” he stated. “I feel very strongly for the sake of the republic we need reform in the courts.”
Schumer argues that Republicans have executed a “brilliant but destructive” strategy over the past three decades to shape the judiciary according to a “hard right” agenda.
“They’ve achieved it,” he lamented, suggesting that the courts are now enacting policies without broad public support.
The Democrats have put forth a series of proposals aimed at the Supreme Court and the judiciary, some enjoying backing from the Biden administration.
One such proposal seeks to impose a binding code of ethics on justices, complete with disclosure and recusal requirements.
Other proposals include imposing 18-year term limits on justices and eliminating forum shopping, where litigants choose favorable courts for their cases.
The “No Kings Act,” recently announced by Schumer, seeks to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity, while the “Women’s Health Protection Act” aims to restore federal abortion rights, countering the court’s 2022 ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade.
If Democrats gain control of the presidency and both chambers of Congress, Schumer suggests that a wide array of reforms is possible.
“The Supreme Court has become a morass, both ethically and substantively,” Schumer asserted.
“We’re going to look at everything. There are lots of proposals.”
However, these proposals face staunch opposition from Republicans, who are satisfied with the current 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court.
Schumer acknowledges the legislative hurdles, particularly the 60-vote rule in the Senate, which makes passing court reforms a daunting task without Democratic control.
When asked about the possibility of circumventing the filibuster, Schumer remained noncommittal: “I’m not going to speculate on the filibuster at this point. But I would say we need to change the courts to deal with the morass. And we’re looking at everything.”
In the immediate term, Schumer’s priority remains confirming more judges.
He has set his sights on surpassing former President Donald Trump’s record of 234 judicial confirmations in four years.
So far, President Joe Biden has confirmed 205 judges.
“We are going to use the lame duck to confirm judges,” Schumer pledged, referring to the post-election period. However, he stopped short of guaranteeing he would exceed Trump’s total, stating, “We’ll do our best.”
Sour grapes. Spoiled little democrats aren’t getting their way so they want to destroy everything our founders envisioned for America.
With about half the American public being too stupid to breathe by themselves ole Chuck has some following. i.e. Those aforementioned also being unable to think for themselves.
Supreme Court is going according Constitution, not ‘public opinion’. Do think that is the way it was set up from day one and should be.
Just another socialist democrat that will stop at nothing to control people.
Wants to take Trump down all the way
Standard operating procedure for Communist Conquerers! Take the castle…then fortify the walls so their power is never again at risk. Manipulate the systems to their benefit.
The infiltrated Democrat party is making a huge mistake! They’re showing their true ideology. They are destroyers, NOT American Statesmen!
Of course he does pledge judicial destruction, similarly kamala harris will finish destroying the economy