This joint resolution proposes a change to the U.S. Constitution. It would add an article that says the Supreme Court of the United States must have nine justices: one chief justice and eight associate justices. The amendment text includes a seven-year deadline for ratification by the legislatures of three-fourths of the States.
The resolution was introduced in the House on January 3, 2025, by Representative Andy Biggs and sponsored by Rick Allen and Derek Schmidt. It was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. On a motion to suspend the rules and pass, the House vote was 212 yeas to 206 nays and failed because two-thirds support was required. The bill is listed as In Progress.
If this amendment were approved by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years, the Constitution would state that the Supreme Court must be composed of one chief justice and eight associate justices (nine total). Until and unless that ratification happens, there is no change from current law. No operational details, timelines, or direct effects on individuals are included in the text of the resolution.
No publicly available information on costs or budgetary effects is included in the text or metadata provided.
The resolution’s sponsors (Andy Biggs, Rick Allen, Derek Schmidt) proposed making the nine-justice composition a constitutional requirement. The House recorded 212 votes in favor on the motion to suspend the rules, but that was not enough for passage under that procedure.
The House vote failed to reach the two-thirds threshold required by the motion; 206 members voted against it. The bill text and provided metadata do not include statements of reasons from opponents.