Court packing refers to the practice of changing the number of Supreme Court justices to achieve a favorable ideological composition. While Congress has constitutional authority to determine Court size, proposals seen as politically motivated rather than administrative are controversial. The most famous attempt was FDR 1937 plan to add justices after the Court struck down New Deal programs.
Court packing debates involve fundamental questions about judicial independence, separation of powers, and democratic accountability in American government.
People think any change to Court size is court packing. Congress has changed Court size 7 times for legitimate administrative reasons, not just political ones.
Court packing debates involve fundamental questions about judicial independence, separation of powers, and democratic accountability in American government.
People think any change to Court size is court packing. Congress has changed Court size 7 times for legitimate administrative reasons, not just political ones.