PARTISANSHIP CONCERNS: SCOTUS reform is crucial says Rep. Adam Schiff
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) called for major reforms to the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday amid rising concerns about ethics scandals and the Court’s partisan rulings.
“This Supreme Court, in addition to its reaction results agenda, has a very corporate moneyed interest,” Schiff said at a press conference held on the third stop of the California leg of the Just Majority bus tour.*
Speaking in Burbank, Rep. Schiff was joined by local advocates for gun violence prevention, reproductive rights, the environment, democracy, and judicial reform to call for Supreme Court expansion and other reforms.
“It is absolutely clear that the Supreme Court is in desperate need of reform. We desperately need to expand the Court,” said the California Representative and former federal prosecutor. He continued:
“Clearly, this Court has no respect for precedent. It has a partisan agenda. As it stands, this court poses a real danger to our democracy. And in order to address that danger, we have to restore balance to the court and provide for an enforceable code of ethics.”
Representative Schiff also spoke about how the Supreme Court is impacting the environment with its recent ruling to limit the reach of the EPA.
“The Supreme Court has now adopted a doctrine that now allows it to strike down environmental protections with ease,” he said.
“Our ability to stop polluters from polluting is heavily circumscribed now by this Supreme Court.”
The House Democrat also called on the Senate to consider reforms to the Court, such as an increase to 13 judges while eliminating the filibuster and enforcing term limits.
“How archaic are these Senate rules?” mused Rep. Schiff. “They’re not written in the Constitution. And how are they keeping us from form?
“Why do we still hold these old ideals?”
Watch Rep. Schiff here:
On-the-scene reporting by Erik C. Anderson. You can follow him on Twitter @FilmsInFocus.
*Funding for this report was provided by the Just Majority tour via a 501c3 nonprofit charity. Find out more at occupydemocrats.com/disclosures
