House Democrat to introduce bill imposing term limits on Supreme Court justices

Rep. Ro KhannaRohit (Ro) KhannaOvernight Defense: Biden administration pausing UAE, Saudi arms sales | Pentagon making climate change national security priority | VA secretary nominee sails through hearing Over 40 lawmakers sign letter urging Merrick Garland to prioritize abolishing death penalty House Democrats introduce measures to oppose Trump's bomb sale to Saudis MORE (D-Calif.), the first vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, is spearheading efforts on a bill to impose term limits on Supreme Court justices.

According to a draft copy of the legislation, justices would be capped to an 18-year tenure versus the lifetime appointment currently outlined in the Constitution. Current justices would be grandfathered in and would not have to step down from their roles.

The bill would have the president select nominees during the first and third year of their term and the nominee would then be approved by the upper chamber.

The legislation comes as both parties spar over President TrumpDonald TrumpFBI says California extremist may have targeted Newsom House Democrat touts resolution to expel Marjorie Taylor Greene from Congress Facebook to dial back political content on platform MORE and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellHouse Democrat touts resolution to expel Marjorie Taylor Greene from Congress Bringing America back from the brink Senate GOP slow walking Biden's pick to lead DHS MORE (R-Ky.) vowing to move forward with the confirmation process to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader GinsburgRuth Bader GinsburgIn Biden, the media finally have a religious president to celebrate NYC street and subway signs transformed to welcome Biden, bid farewell to Trump Schumer and McConnell trade places, but icy relationship holds MORE ahead of the election.

While Republicans argue that proceeding with the process is their constitutional duty, Democrats have accused McConnell and Senate GOP lawmakers of hypocrisy for blocking a hearing on former President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Merrick GarlandMerrick Brian GarlandBiden begins staffing commission to study Supreme Court reform: report Over 40 lawmakers sign letter urging Merrick Garland to prioritize abolishing death penalty Biden's Cabinet gradually confirmed by Senate MORE following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in 2016.

Proponents of the bill argue it would alleviate partisan tensions in appointing judges to the high court.

“We can’t face a national crisis every time there's a SCOTUS vacancy. I’m introducing a bill to impose 18yr term limits on future Justices. Long enough to influence judicial trends but not so entrenched. Every president appoints 2 per term. Thoughts?” Khanna tweeted on Friday.

Many legal experts believe the change would require a constitutional amendment.