Senate Democrats are gearing up for a significant push this fall to prioritize judicial reform, focusing on imposing ethical restrictions on Supreme Court justices and overturning certain rulings, while expediting the confirmation of President Biden's judicial nominees. This marks a notable shift for both Senate Democrats and President Biden, who initially resisted progressive calls for major court reforms early in his term.
Bidens proposals, including a constitutional amendment to strip presidential immunity for crimes, term limits for Supreme Court justices, and a binding code of conduct for the high court, face slim chances in a divided Congress. However, these initiatives are intended to energize the Democratic base ahead of the elections. Vice President Kamala Harris, now the presumptive Democratic nominee, has endorsed these changes amidst the Supreme Court's waning popularity.
Biden announced these measures at an event commemorating the Civil Rights Act, following a landmark Supreme Court ruling granting presidents immunity for certain actions and revelations about justices accepting gifts from conservative donors. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized that recent controversial rulings and ethical concerns, along with Biden's reform push, have heightened the urgency of this issue. Schumer highlighted the priority of ethical and substantive judicial reforms as the Senate prepares for its August break and the upcoming Democratic convention.
