Andrea Junker
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Just a casual reminder that in 1869 it was decided to have 9 Supreme Court justices because there were 9 Circuit Courts.

Now there are 13 Circuit Courts. So what exactly are we waiting for?
11:06 AM - Jun 29, 2023
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Dan Eldredge
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In response to Andrea Junker.
When I'm not feeling charitable, I blame Biden for not acting.

When I *am* feeling charitable, I think Biden's waiting for one more Senate seat so he can get confirmations through without having to make a deal with Manchin or Sinema.
11:16 AM - Jun 29, 2023
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Professor Kyle
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In response to Dan Eldredge.
But Biden has no way of acting with control of both houses of Congress and a Senate willing to overturn the filibuster.
12:33 PM - Jun 29, 2023
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Dan Eldredge
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In response to Professor Kyle.
Control of the House doesn't matter for appointing justices--the President just needs "advice and consent" of the Senate. The filibuster also doesn't need to be overturned; he just needs a majority. As of now he does have Senate control, but would need either Manchin or Sinema to go along with it.
01:18 PM - Jun 29, 2023
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Professor Kyle
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In response to Dan Eldredge.
Expanding the court would require a law, which necessitates the house & overturning the filibuster.
01:44 PM - Jun 29, 2023
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Dan Eldredge
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In response to Professor Kyle.
Can you cite the specific section of the Constitution or the federal statute that currently limits the number of SCOTUS justices to nine?
01:52 PM - Jun 29, 2023
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Professor Kyle
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I didn't say it was in the constitution, I said it will take a law to change it, as it did the previous times that happened.
In response to Dan Eldredge.
01:54 PM - Jun 29, 2023
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Dan Eldredge
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In response to Professor Kyle.
Ok. Then as I asked, please point to the federal statute that says Congress must pass a law in order to change the number of justices. I've seen lots of pundits/articles say that X has to happen to change the size of the court, but no one seems to be able to show why.
02:01 PM - Jun 29, 2023
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Professor Kyle
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In response to Dan Eldredge.
I don't need to point out a statute – that's just the way legislation happens in this country. The executive branch has limited authority to interpret & enact legislated policy – adding justices is not within that authority, & if Biden tried it the existing Court would strike it down immediately.
02:04 PM - Jun 29, 2023
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Dan Eldredge
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In response to Dan Eldredge.
I should mention that McConnell unilaterally changed the size of the court from 9 to 8 in 2015, and then changed it again from 8 to 9 in 2017. No laws required.
02:04 PM - Jun 29, 2023
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