Supreme Court Biennial Appointments and Term Limits Act of 2026
A bill to amend title 28, United States Code, to provide for the regularized appointment of justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, and for other purposes.
The bill, SB5076, aims to change the rules for appointing justices to the Supreme Court of the United States. It proposes to set a regular schedule for appointing new justices, ensuring that the process is more predictable and organized. This change would affect the entire country as the Supreme Court justices make decisions that impact all Americans. Currently, the bill is in its early stages, having been introduced on July 22, 2026, and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary for further review.
The bill has been co-sponsored by multiple senators, all of whom are Democrats, including Sheldon Whitehouse, the primary sponsor, and others like Peter Welch, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Mazie Hirono. Their goal is to bring more structure to the appointment process of Supreme Court justices, which could influence the court’s composition and, subsequently, its rulings. As of the latest update, the bill has been read twice and is currently under consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Key actions so far include the introduction of the bill and its referral to the Committee on the Judiciary. Future steps will likely involve committee discussions, possible amendments, and votes leading up to a potential full Senate debate.
