Democrats last week introduced legislation to expand the Supreme Court from 9 seats to 13. The move comes after President Donald Trump appointed three conservative justices while in office, one of whom was confirmed days before the 2020 election.
Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Congressman Mondaire Jones of New York’s 17th district say adding seats to the court would help ensure the protection of civil rights, a woman’s right to choose, and environmental justice. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said the issue needs more investigation. President Joe Biden has formed a commission of scholars and former federal judges to investigate the issue, which Republicans dismiss as “court packing.”

For analysis of the effort, WAMC’s Ian Pickus spoke with Albany Law Professor Vincent Bonventre.