It’s time to reform the Supreme Court. The Founding Fathers would not recognize the modern incarnation of what Alexander Hamilton called the “least dangerous” branch. The Court wields far more power on far more issues than it did in the 18th century, and without adequate checks and balances. Individual justices have held that power longer than ever before. In the first 180 years of U.S. history, justices served an average of about 15 years. In recent years, justices have served an average of 26 years.
Momentum for reform is building. Numerous polls have shown overwhelming bipartisan support for term limits and an enforceable code of ethics. Both the President and Vice President have announced their support for real change.
Join us for a virtual discussion with Supreme Court experts on Tuesday, August 13, at 3 p.m. ET to discuss exactly what these proposals entail and what they would mean for American democracy. Brennan Center President Michael Waldman will moderate the discussion.
Produced with support from the Kohlberg Center on the Supreme Court of the United States
Speaker:
- Cristina Rodríguez, Leighton Homer Surbeck Professor of Law, Yale Law School; Co-Chair, President’s Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States
- Diane WoodChief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; Director of the American Law Institute; Lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School
- Alicia Bannon, Director of the Justice Program at the Brennan Center for Justice; Editor in Chief, Report of the State Court
- Moderator: Michael Waldman, President, Brennan Center; Member of the President’s Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States
