Nancy Pelosi Stalls Democrats’ ‘Court-Packing Bill’ on House Floor, Republicans Rally for Complete Dismissal
The “court-packing” bill Democrats proposed Thursday to raise the number of Supreme Court seats from 9 to 13 has Republicans planning a counterattack on what they say is “a full assault on the independence of the federal judiciary.”
Colorado Rep. Ken Buck tweeted the efforts of Democrats to pass this bill will be in vain. “Republicans will stop them,” he says.
Democrats are launching a full assault on the independence of the federal judiciary. Republicans will stop them. https://t.co/k9oC3ZXqOq
— Ken Buck (@BuckForColorado) April 15, 2021
The bill, though unlikely to pass as Democrats now can only lose 2 votes in the House in order to pass new legislation, seeks to challenge a system that has been in place since 1869.
“This should scare every single American, regardless of where you stand politically,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said in an interview on Mornings with Maria. “This just goes to show how far the Democrat Party has moved. There almost are no longer common-sense or moderate Democrats elected. … It’s overtaking a branch of government simply to have your control over a nation. It must be the scariest thing I’ve ever heard them do.”
Sen. Mike Lee of Utah chimed in, radically opposed to the proposition.
Packing the court is an act of arrogant lawlessness. Those behind this effort spit in the face of judicial independence.
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) April 15, 2021
Likewise, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton said, “Packing the Supreme Court would destroy the Supreme Court. The Democrats will do anything for power.”
Sen. Steve Daines, along with other senators, proposed legislation that would limit the number of Supreme Court justices to nine. He called Americans to defend America’s freedom and future.
Packing the Supreme Court is an attack on our Montana way of life. It is a blatant power grab by the Democrats to pave the way for the Left’s radical agenda.
We cannot let this happen. We must protect our freedoms & the future of our country.
— Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) April 15, 2021
During the Thursday morning press conference, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi effectively stalled the bill, saying she would not immediately bring it to the House floor. However, Pelosi did confirm President Biden’s option of reviewing the expansion of the Supreme Court, just not under the current bid made by House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler.
Nadler argued that because there are now 13 circuit districts, growing the number of seats to match is a logical option.
“I support the president’s commission to study such a proposal,” Pelosi said. “I think it’s an idea that should be considered, and I think the president’s taking the right approach to have a commission to study such a thing. It’s a big step. It’s not out of the question; it’s been done before in the history of our country.”
Biden announced the commission, which was a campaign pledge, as an executive order on April 9. He spoke of his intentions to stay away from any instance of “court-packing” in an interview with Iowa Starting Line during his 2019 campaign.
“No, I’m not prepared to go on and try to pack the court, because we’ll live to rue that day,” he said.
Some Democrat leaders agree with Pelosi’s view and have gone so far as to see eye to eye with the majority of Republicans’ sentiments on the bill.
Sen. Durbin of Illinois told reporters, “I’m not ready to sign on yet. I think this commission of Biden is the right move. Let’s think this through carefully. This is historic.”
“This is a system that has worked well for a long time. Changing it based on party control is not a good practice,” Democrat Rep. Tom Suozzi told The Post. {eoa}
