US Congress rejects constitutional amendment to restrict Supreme Court size

A proposed amendment to the United States Constitution has fallen short, after Republicans attempted to cap the number of seats on the nation’s Supreme Court.

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives failed to advance a joint resolution championed by Republicans that would have permanently limited the court to its current number of justices: nine.

The amendment’s final vote, which was mostly along party lines, was 212 in favour and 206 opposed.

A simple majority is needed to pass most legislation in the House, but constitutional amendments require two-thirds support.

Representative Don Davis of North Carolina was the only Democrat to vote in support of the amendment, while independent Representative Kevin Kiley of California, who caucuses with Republicans, voted against it.

The vote comes a day after the House voted 220 to 192 in favour of adopting a resolution condemning socialism. Eight Democrats joined with Republicans to advance the measure.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday took to social media to chide Democrats who voted against the two bills.

“For members of Congress who swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution, condemning socialism and defending the integrity of the Supreme Court shouldn’t be a controversial vote,” Johnson wrote on X. “Sadly, for today’s Democrats, they are.”