Cruz Introduces Amendment to Block 'Packing' of the Supreme Court

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has introduced a Constitutional amendment to prevent the Democrat Party, or anyone in the future, from expanding the Supreme Court beyond the current number of nine justices. A multitude of Sen. Cruz's colleagues co-sponsored the amendment, including Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Mike Lee (R-UT).

Sen. Cruz began by mentioning that the left side of the aisle wants to pack the Supreme Court because they want to use it to accomplish things they cannot do without changing the rules.

“For years, Democrats have openly said they intend to pack the Supreme Court. They seek to use the Court to advance policy goals they can’t accomplish electorally," said Cruz. "Such a move would be a direct assault on the design of our Constitution, which is designed to ensure the Supreme Court remains a non-partisan guardian of the rule of law. This amendment is a badly-needed check on their efforts to undermine the integrity of the Court.”

Furthermore, Sen. Grassley joined Cruz and added that the "Keep Nine Amendment" will maintain the "historic precedent" and preserve its legitimacy.

“Democrats’ radical court packing scheme would erase the legitimacy of the Supreme Court and destroy historic precedent," said Sen. Grassley. "The Court is a co-equal branch of government, and our Keep Nine Amendment will ensure that it remains independent from political pressure.”

Moreover, Sen. Cornyn stated that the left has made the legal system political to achieve victories they otherwise couldn't achieve normally.

“Democrats have turned the legal system into a vehicle for advancing policy goals they can’t achieve at the ballot box or in Congress," said Sen. Cornyn. "I’m proud to join Sen. Cruz in supporting this resolution calling for a constitutional amendment to prevent the Democrats from packing the Court and undermining the rule of law.”

Finally, Sen. Lee said that this amendment would stop Democrats or anyone attempting to rig the Supreme Court for political advantages in perpetuity.

Sen. Lee said, “It is vital that we protect the independence and integrity of the Supreme Court. Radical Democrats will not stop trying to rig the decisions they want through court packing, and this legislation would permanently take that dangerous option off the table.”

Including the co-sponsors above, 17 total Republican Senators have pledged their support for this amendment.