Republicans still don’t seem to understand that expanding the Supreme Court is completely constitutional, which is why Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wisc.) found himself being mocked and schooled this week.
Democrats have been seeking to pass legislation that would add four seats to the high court in an effort to restore balance and match the number the appellate courts in our country, which has historical precedent.
The bill is in response to the Republican scheme to pack the court system with unqualified cronies who will do the party’s bidding rather than follow the Constitution and established precedent. For instance, the 6-3 conservative majority recently took up an abortion case that could result in the striking down of Roe v. Wade, which has protected a woman’s right to choose since 1973.
On Tuesday, Grothman demonstrated that he has no clue how expanding the Supreme Court works by declaring that Biden has “no authority to pack the court.”
Joe Biden once called court packing a “bonehead idea.” Now, he’s created a commission to study the idea. I joined @SenTedCruz, @RepDustyJohnson, & nearly 200 colleagues in reminding the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court that @POTUS has no authority to pack the court. pic.twitter.com/evqc5fuab0
— Rep. Glenn Grothman (@RepGrothman) May 25, 2021
In reality, Biden does have such authority. Congress has the power to expand the number of seats on the court. In fact, the number of seats has been changed multiple times in our history, the last time being in 1869. So, expanding it again is long overdue. Once Congress passes the law to expand the court, the president would be responsible for filling the seats, hopefully with competent and qualified nominees.
Twitter users not only schooled Grothman, but they also pointed out that Republicans have been packing the court for years now.
That was before Republicans threw all pretense of decency and fairness to the wind to confirm a new Justice in the last weeks of Trump’s presidency…
— Todd Brunner (@shuga_c) May 25, 2021
Pack the court, @POTUS! Mitch didn’t play fair on this issue, so all bets are off.
— Jenny (@JennyTXDem) May 25, 2021
lol… republicans threw the rules out the window and want to claw them back.
— Bob, from Accounting (@ImaLibtard) May 25, 2021
also known as BALANCING THE COURTS. You’re welcome
— Annie (@NoDenynTruth) May 25, 2021
It’s only boneheaded when one side obstructs appointments. At that time, all options are on the table. Had Garland had a fair and reasonable opportunity to sit before a panel and get a vote. We wouldn’t be in this situation.
— Evie Frye (@dfrye01) May 25, 2021
Since the beginning of this country the number of Supreme Court justices has changed 7 times…. Read a history book and try again.
— Once again Ted Cruz…. (@stevesa70494131) May 25, 2021
MERRICK GARLAND
— peter meahan (@pmeahan888) May 25, 2021
Of 9 justices, 6 appointed by GOP.
Of the 6 appointed GOP justices…
only 1 justice was nominated by a President
who won the popular vote.
HW Bush.GOP denied a vote on Garland
&
GOP rammed in Barrett 8 days before the election.Please.
— Habs (@Habs74265436) May 25, 2021
Funny…I don’t remember you complaining about your party’s courtpacking.
You know..when your party refused to give merrick garland a confirmation hearing for a year. When your party prevented Obama from filling in hundreds of federal court spots, etc.
— TharenJ (@JTharen) May 25, 2021
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