WASHINGTON, D.C. (WDTV) – As his time winds down in the nation’s capitol Marion County’s native son is leading efforts to establish US Supreme Court term limits.
Manchin is joined by Vermont Democratic Senator Peter Welch in efforts to institute non-renewable 18-year terms for new justices.
In a statement sent to 5 News Manchin says the following.
“The current lifetime appointment structure is broken and fuels polarizing confirmation battles and political posturing that has eroded public confidence in the highest court in our land. Our amendment maintains that there shall never be more than nine Justices and would gradually create regular vacancies on the Court, allowing the President to appoint a new Justice every two years with the advice and consent of the United States Senate. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join our legislation to help restore faith in our judicial system.”
This proposed amendment would bring a transition period to maintain regular vacancies as current justices retire. The 18-year terms will begin every two years regardless of when a current justice leaves the bench.
The efforts by Manchin will not change the overall number of justices on the court.
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