Bills · HJRES 145
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House Joint Res.HJRES 145Law
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the terms of office of the judges of the Supreme Court and inferior courts.
INTRO JAN 30· LAST ACTION JAN 30
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LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
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Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill addresses a fundamental aspect of the American justice system: how long judges serve. Currently, federal judges serve for life, a system designed to ensure their independence from political pressure. However, critics argue this can lead to judges serving for excessively long periods, potentially becoming out of touch or creating a judiciary where vacancies are highly politicized due to their rarity and the significant impact of each appointment.
If this bill becomes law, it would create more predictable and frequent turnover on federal courts, including the Supreme Court. This could potentially reduce the political intensity around individual appointments, as no single appointment would carry the weight of a lifetime tenure. However, it also changes the original intent of the 'good behavior' clause and could introduce new dynamics regarding judicial independence and experience. If it doesn't become law, the current system of lifetime appointments for federal judges would continue.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Proposes a Constitutional Amendment to limit the terms of office for judges of the Supreme Court and inferior courts.
This is a foundational change to the structure of the federal judiciary, moving away from lifetime appointments.
PROVISION 02
Each judge of the Supreme Court and inferior courts would be appointed to serve during 'good behavior' for a fixed term of 20 years.
This sets a specific duration for judicial service, replacing the current open-ended term.
PROVISION 03
No person who has served a 20-year term on a Supreme Court or inferior court would be eligible for reappointment to that same court.
This provision ensures new individuals will fill judicial slots after a term, promoting turnover.
PROVISION 04
The amendment would only apply to appointments made on or after the date of its ratification.
This clarifies that existing judges would not be retroactively affected by the new term limits.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· Michigan
YRS IN OFFICE
1
BILLS LED
53
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 30
Introduced in House
JAN 30
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Joint Resolution
NumberHJRES 145
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 30, 2026
Last actionJan 30, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 30, 2026
House Joint Res.HJRES 145Law
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the terms of office of the judges of the Supreme Court and inferior courts.
INTRODUCED JAN 30, 2026· LAST ACTION JAN 30, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
1 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
