The next Congress and the Supreme Court

[bobnicewander]

Going by the book, I think the earliest the Supreme Court may have more justices appointed by Democrats than by Republicans will be in January of 2025 after the 2024 elections when the Democratic party may have controlling numbers in both the House and Senate, and after the next congress is sworn in on or around January 3, 2025, as per the Constitution wherein it is ordered that Congress convene at noon on January 3 in each odd numbered year, unless it has passed a law allowing for Congress to convene on a different day or time (20th Amendment, Section 2).

Can 2 justices be replaced before January 20, 2025? Perhaps Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh.

Most of what follows can be found here:
https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/faq_general.aspx

The justice to administer the oath of office taken by the president elect is selected by the president, but must be approved by a majority of the Senate in session before assuming the office.

It is only custom for a president to be sworn in to office by the chief justice. If the next president elect were to be Biden or Harris they could select any justice other than Roberts to conduct the ceremony. Perhaps one of the female justices.

Progress SCOTUS chart to Jan 15, 8 am, EST, 2025. Locate it to the Capitol Building.

[Ember Nyx]

I'm very skeptical of this just on the basis of the ages of those justices. Would Thomas resign while a Democrat is president? I'm doubtful, but that's possible. But Kavanaugh? He's young; he'll be on the bench for decades.

[bobnicewander]

Can Congress vote out Supreme Court justices?

What are grounds for impeachment of a Supreme Court justice?

That is a constitutional question which the Chair cannot pass upon, but should be passed upon by the House. Article II, section 4 of the U.S. Constitution defines the grounds for impeachment and conviction as ''treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
If the Judicial Conference finds possible grounds for impeachment, it submits a report to the House of Representatives. Only Congress has the authority to remove an Article III judge. This is done through a vote of impeachment by the House and a trial and conviction by the Senate

The Constitution requires a two-thirds vote of the Senate to convict, and the penalty for an impeached official upon conviction is removal from office.

Check transit Saturn on January 15, 2025 to the untimed (midnight) natals and their secondary progressions of Thomas and Kavanaugh.

[Ember Nyx]

Yes, a two-thirds majority in the Senate can vote for removal of a Supreme Court justice; but the odds of the Democrats having that many seats - probably in my lifetime, and I'm 34 - are essentially nil. Democrats are fighting tooth and nail to have any majority in the Senate, and only have the razor-thin majority they do have by winning incredible races in Georgia. Every source I have checked in the past 2 or so years has implied that it is likely Democrats will lose seats in the next race, not gain them. It will be a miracle if they hold onto 50 seats.

A Saturn transit can be very heavy, but I would argue it doesn't guarantee an outcome that is extremely unlikely to be possible. Personally, I would expect something more along the lines of tarnishing their legacy, dealing with unpleasant public events or congressional probing, etc. I sure hope I am wrong and you are right about congressional action, but I will be in utter disbelief if either Justice leaves the bench for any reason in the next 1-2 years.

[Jim Eshelman]

Bob, I see you haven't been here for a year - not since the day before your birthday last year.

In case you're still getting notifications from us: Happy birthday! -- And, for that matter, happy Uranus Return - that's quite an achievement.

[bobnicewander]

Just found your post Jim. Thank you.

My computer is trashed and I have early alzheimer's. I changed my EMail sign in info and forgot what I changed it to so can't log in to make or receive EMail and lost many computer functions. I found a way to get on the internet but not to log in. I post on Democratic Underground, Astrology, Spirituality & Alternative Healing group. Physically I am OK and most of the time mentally.

I am looking for tRump to lose power in March. March 3 SCOTUS Saturn return. March 4 transit Saturn square his natal Sun and Moon and transit Pluto opposite his progressed Saturn. The period between mid February and the second week in March is non-stop difficult for him.

Bob, I see you haven't been here for a year - not since the day before your birthday last year.

In case you're still getting notifications from us: Happy birthday! -- And, for that matter, happy Uranus Return - that's quite an achievement.

[Jim Eshelman]

Glad to hear from you! I'm sorry to hear about your health, though you sound sharp as a tack at the moment. Perhaps we can give you something interesting to engage your mind regularly.

I agree, the spring has a whole row of brick walls poised to fall on 34. He's been good at surviving these things in the past. One wonders, though, how long his strength will persist.