House Rejects GOP Constitutional Amendment to Limit Supreme Court to Nine Justices

The United States House of Representatives rejected a Republican-backed constitutional amendment that sought to permanently cap the Supreme Court at nine justices. The joint resolution failed in a 212 to 206 vote, falling short of the two-thirds supermajority required to advance a constitutional amendment. Representative Andy Biggs of Arizona sponsored the measure, arguing that a permanent size limit would prevent future majorities from altering the bench. The vote followed party lines, with Representative Don Davis of North Carolina as the sole Democrat voting in favor, while independent Representative Kevin Kiley voted against it. Republican leaders framed the vote as a necessary defense of judicial integrity against Democratic proposals to expand the court. Democratic opponents countered that the amendment would strip Congress of constitutional powers under Article I and lock in a conservative majority. Amending the Constitution requires two-thirds approval in both chambers and ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures.