hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Proposes 20-year term limits for all federal judges.
Rep. Barrett (House sponsor).
In committee, no House vote yet.
This bill, House Joint Resolution 145, introduced by Representative Barrett, proposes a Constitutional amendment to establish 20-year term limits for judges on the Supreme Court and other federal courts. It was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary, where it must be considered before it can move to a vote by the full House of Representatives.
Introduced Jan 30, 2026
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 30, 2026, and immediately referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. For it to progress, the committee must approve it, after which it would need a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate. If passed by Congress, it would then be sent to the states for ratification, requiring approval from three-fourths of state legislatures to become a Constitutional amendment.
If this amendment is ratified, all federal judges, including those on the Supreme Court, would be appointed for 20-year terms, a significant change from the current system of lifetime appointments. This means you would see new judicial appointments, including Supreme Court justices, more regularly. After their 20-year term, judges would not be eligible to serve again on the same court, potentially leading to a more frequent turnover and diverse perspectives on the federal bench over time.
Supporters Say
Supporters argue term limits would bring fresh perspectives to the judiciary and reduce judicial politicization.
Critics Say
Critics contend term limits could weaken judicial independence and make courts more susceptible to political pressure.
Advocates often suggest that term limits could make the judiciary more responsive to public sentiment and prevent judges from serving for extended periods when their views might become out of sync with society. Opponents, however, worry that removing lifetime tenure could make judges more concerned with reappointment or future careers, potentially compromising their ability to make impartial decisions free from political influence.