Bill · H.J.Res. 1· House(119-HJRES-1)
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that the Supreme Court of the United States be composed of nine justices.
- Introduced
- 1/3/2025
- Last activity
- 9/2/2026 — On motion to suspend the rules and pass Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 212 - 206 (Roll no. 293).
- Sponsored by
- Andy Biggs
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- Failed
What this bill would do
This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The amendment would require the Supreme Court of the United States to consist of exactly nine justices. This composition would include one chief justice and eight associate justices. The resolution requires ratification by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states within seven years of submission.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+1
By fixing the size of the Supreme Court, it provides more structural stability and predictability to the federal government.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to passFailed 212–206
The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not.
09/02/2026 · Roll call 293 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Fixed Court Composition: By mandating that the Supreme Court be composed of nine justices, the bill establishes a specific structure of one chief justice and eight associate justices.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+1
- 9/2/2026
- Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On motion to suspend the rules and pass Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 212 - 206 (Roll no. 293).
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 212 - 206 (Roll no. 293).
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5459-5460)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 1.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5443-5451; text: CR H5443)
- Mr. Biggs (AZ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution.
- 7/6/2026
- Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-732.
- Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 84.
- 6/3/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 8.
- 6/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/16/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Rick AllenRepublican · Georgia
Derek SchmidtRepublican · Kansas